Donna Hackman Obituary
Donna Jean (Schneck) Hackman, age 90, of Vallonia, peacefully went to her heavenly home early Monday morning, October 27, 2025, surrounded by her loving family in the home she and Leland built together from wood harvested from their family farm.
Jean was a member of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, where she was active in the LWML, Choir, and Sunday School. She was also a dedicated member of Wegan Wide-Awake Home Economics Club. It was important to her and Leland in raising their family within the Lutheran church, ensuring all their children were confirmed at Wegan.
Jean graduated from Brownstown High School in 1953 and went on to attend Indiana State University. While at college, she maintained a long-distance relationship with Leland "Pee Wee" Hackman, and the two were married on July 2, 1955, at Brownstown Methodist Church. After their honeymoon trip to Tennessee, they immediately moved to Crescent City, California, where Pee Wee was stationed to complete his military service. It was there they began their family and gave birth to their first child.
They returned to Jackson County in 1956. She and Leland continued to grow their family and carry on the family farm, raising livestock and grain at Blooming Valley Farms, and Jean quickly changed from a town girl to a farm wife. Jean found joy in many things from the time her family spent working together on the farm to camping, boating, and bowling. She loved crocheting, tending to her flower garden, cutting firewood with Pee Wee, early morning fishing trips with Pee Wee and friends, and trips to visit her sister, Betty.
Jean's family was her blessings and by example she taught them to worship God, work hard, play hard, and most of all, love each other. Her life's desire was to help and love her husband, children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and many friends.
Together, each year she and Leland would decorate the cross he made for the headstone of their granddaughter, Laura Jean, and place American flags on each Veteran's grave at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan Cemetery.
Jean recently celebrated her 90th birthday, which she would tell to anyone she never intended to do. It was a true blessing because she was able to have her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and many close friends visit. She was delighted to receive dozens of cards from family and friends.
Jean was a devoted wife, mother, grandma, and great-grandma, as well as a true and faithful friend. She will be missed by many.
Born on September 2, 1935, at her family home in Seymour, Jean was the daughter of William Edwin and Thelma (Heckman) Schneck, both of whom preceded her in death.
Survivors include two sons: John William (Tammi) Hackman and Stuart Schneck (Stephanie) Hackman, and three daughters: Holly Lee (Richard) Berry, Julie Ann (Stevan) Savich, and Amy Jo (John) Hartley, all of Vallonia; grandchildren: Sarah Beth (Donnie) Strack, Nathan Richard (Allison) Berry, Caitlyn Lee (Jimmy) Baker, Seth Leland (Regan) Berry, Aaron John (Katie) Hackman, Lindsey Crist (Blake) Fish, Caleb Zane William (Kaitlyn) Hackman, Avri Cora Sanchez Bonilla, Richelle Lynne (Bryan) Kovener, Elise Leanne (Brad) Watkins, Wesley Benjamin (Angie) Hartley, Olivia Joyce (Lucas) Hanner, Emily Jean (Alex) Payne, Trey James Hackman (fiance Kaitlyn Colglazier), and Madelyn Faith Hackman; great-grandchildren: Ellabeth Faith Strack, Anderson Donald Strack, Lilajean Mae Strack, Evaleigh Grace Strack, Harrison Louie Strack, Islarose Joy Strack, Whitaker Twain Strack, Adelaide Poppy Strack, Easton Colt Berry, Morgan Grey Berry, William Richard Baker, Evan James Baker, Leland Hollis Baker, Archer Steven Baker, Carter Gene Berry, August Leland Berry, Chloe Crist Fish, Parker David Fish, McKenna Hay Hackman, John Kyler Gregory Hackman, Brenny Kate Hackman, Preston Riley Kovener, Jackson Benjamin Hartley, Landon James Hanner, Lincoln William Hanner, Annabelle Jean Hanner, Emma Annette Hanner, Simon Scott Payne, and Future Baby girl Payne; several step great-grandchildren; one sister, Betty Canada of Canyon, Texas; several nieces and nephews; and her caregivers: Debbie, Faith, Pam, and Kaitlyn, who provided compassionate care, companionship, and kindness.
In addition to her parents, Jean was also preceded in death by her cherished husband, Leland John "Pee Wee" Hackman, who passed away on September 9, 2021; granddaughter, Laura Jean Berry; brother, Richard Schneck; brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Willard and Marcella Wischmeier; and brother-in-law, Chester Canada.
Funeral services for Donna Jean (Schneck) Hackman will be conducted at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan, with Pastor Joel Meyer officiating. Friends may call from 9:00 a.m. until the time of the service at 12:00 noon on Saturday, November 1, 2025, at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan.
Interment will follow at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Wegan Cemetery.
Memorials may be given to the St. Paul Lutheran Church - Wegan Cemetery Fund, St. Peter's Lutheran Church LWML, or Donor's choice.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the caring staff of Spurgeon Funeral Home, Inc., Brownstown.
Online memories and condolences may be given at www.spurgeonfh.com
Published by The Tribune on Oct. 27, 2025.