Donna Steiner

BUCKLEY - Donna R. Steiner, 88, of Buckley died at 11:58 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 14, 2024) at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton Senior Living, Paxton, surrounded by family.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 21, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley, with the Rev. J. Kevin Wycoff officiating. Burial will follow in St. John's Cemetery, Buckley. Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20, at St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley, and also one hour before the funeral service on Saturday at the church. Baier Family Funeral Services, Buckley, is handling arrangements.

Donna was born Aug. 23, 1936, in Peoria, the daughter of Charles and Margaret A. Neuhaus Kreiter. She married Paul E. Steiner on May 31, 1959, at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Chillicothe. He preceded her in death May 2, 2016.

She is survived by a son, Joseph Paul (Janet) Steiner of Murfreesboro, Tenn., and their daughters, Rachel (Ben) and Bridgette (J.J.); a daughter, Paula Steiner Kuester-Coy of Paxton, and her children, Paige and Colton; a daughter, Gayle Ruth (Bryan) Holderfield of Mahomet, and their daughters, Samantha (Jake) and Lauren; and a son, Eric Paul (Jill) Steiner of rural Thawville, and their children, Emma and Noah.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents; husband; a daughter, Judith Ruth Steiner; and a grandson, Hayden Steiner.

Donna grew up in Peoria, moved to West Allis, Wis., at the age of 6 and at the age of 12, moved to a farm in Cissna Park. She graduated as class valedictorian from Cissna Park High School in 1954 and from the University of Illinois in 1958 with a bachelor's degree. She sang in the University of Illinois Women's Glee Club. She taught English and French at Wellington High School for one year. Donna was a farmer's wife and later was a seamstress at Simply Pat's for several years and a substitute rural mail carrier for Loda and then Cissna Park for 20 years.

She was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Buckley, the church choir and Ladies Aid. She was also a member of the Buckley American Legion Auxiliary. Donna volunteered as room mother and Girl Scouts leader while her children were growing up. She was a former Buckley-Loda school board member and served as board secretary. She was also a member of the board for Iroquois County Volunteer Services. She enjoyed playing cards and loved visiting with her family and friends.

The family wishes to express a deep appreciation and thank you for the staff and her friends at Accolade Healthcare of Paxton Senior Living for taking such good care of their mother.

Memorials may be made to St. John's Lutheran Church, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital or an organization of the donor's choice. Condolences and memories can be shared with the family at baierfuneralservices.com.