Donna was born in the family home in Beech Grove, Indiana on June 23, 1927. She was the youngest of 10 children born to John William Gilliland and Effie Coleman Meade and was the last surviving member of her immediate family. Donna was raised in Beech Grove, graduating from Beech Grove High School in 1945. She married Jack Sluder in 1946. They had their first son, John Sluder in 1947. In 1950, they packed up all of their worldly belongings and headed to California where Jack took a job working at the Marine Corp Supply Center in Barstow. They lived in several locations in the area, but were finally able to purchase a new home on Frances Drive in Barstow in 1955. This became the family home for the rest of their lives. Jack and Donna had five more children, Cathy born in 1952, Steven - 1955, Tim - 1956, Bob - 1959 and Cindy born just before Christmas in 1964. Tragically, Cindy died just one month later in January 1965. Son John died in an automobile accident in October 1982. Son Bob died just last year in July 2022. She also lost two great-grandchildren, Bradley Brinkerhoff in 2013 and Haley Bury in 2020.
Besides being a mother, Donna had several notable careers. Her first job in Barstow was as a clerk at the Santa Fe Diesel shops. She later went to work for Barstow Community College, being one of its first employees. She stayed at BCC until the new campus was built on Barstow Rd. After leaving there, she began an almost 20-year career as a legal secretary, ultimately working for two local prominent attorneys. She retired for a few years and then in 1983 took an entry level position in the clerk’s office at the City of Barstow. By the time of her retirement in December 1995, Donna had also served one full term as the elected City Clerk for the City of Barstow. Donna was a hard worker and a dedicated public servant. For the past four years, Donna has been a resident of the Whispering Winds assisted living facility in Apple Valley. She was a bright light among the residents and was loved by all she met. Our family would like to thank the caregivers at Whispering Winds for their loving and dedicated care of our mother. They loved her as much as we did and served her until the very end.
Donna is survived by her daughter Catherine (Chuck) Ashbrook of Belton, Texas; Sons Steven (Gay) Sluder of Wellsville, Utah and Tim (LeAnn) Sluder of Hesperia, California. She leaves 15 grandchildren, Michael Sluder-Brehm, Shannon Ashbrook, Clint Ashbrook, Jennifer Rubio, Laura Bunnell, Cindy Beckstead, Steven Sluder ll, Mary Brinkerhoff, John Sluder, Bryan Sluder, Jared Sluder, David Sluder, Amanda Deverson, Bobby Sluder ll and Ryan Sluder. She also leaves 39 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Donna was a wonderful mother and grandmother. She was called “Mamaw” by all of her grandchildren and would recite poems and sing songs to the little ones as she rocked them in her arms. She would often sing, “You Are My Sunshine” and “I Love You a Bushel and a Peck”. The latter became her theme song and was usually sung to everyone as they visited her in her final days. She will be greatly missed by every one of her family and friends as she leaves a legacy of love.
Chapel and graveside services for Donna will be held Monday, February 13, 2023 at 10:30 AM at Mead Mortuary, 36930 Irwin Rd, Barstow, California 92311.
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