Donna M. Black, age 84, died peacefully on the morning of March 4, 2024 at Generations at Neighbors Rehab in Byron Illinois as a result of suffering a stroke in January. Donna was born May 16, 1939 to Ira & Wilmyth Ellsworth. She married Dale Black on January 3, 1958. They resided together from that time until her death. Donna and Dale have experienced & enjoyed over 66 years of wedded life together, most recently at their home in German Valley, IL. She and Dale became members of the Worldwide Church of God in 1967. In 1995, that membership then derived into the United Church of God. Primarily however, she spent her whole adult life pursuing a relationship with God, her Heavenly Father. Throughout her years then in the United Church of God, she became instrumental in many more Church activities including the Editor of the Local Beloit Publication, The Beloit News, which later became Building Bridges, which was designed to keep the church family informed. She went to college at about age 45 and earned two, two year degrees, in Secretary and Record Keeping. Donna’s life has been filled with much activity throughout the years. She enjoyed free hand art and painted a number of pieces throughout her life.
Donna is loved and missed by her husband of 66 years, Dale; son, Brian and wife, Charisse; granddaughters, Kurstin Coffey and Courtney Black; great-grandchildren, Corbin, Ava, and Archer; brother, LeRoy (Patty) Ellsworth; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, son Bruce Dale Black, who died at age 4 in 1964.
The family would like to extend their gratitude to the nurses, staff at Generations in Byron and everyone at Serenity Hospice Care in Oregon for their compassionate and outstanding care.
A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Monday, March 11, 2024 at Advantage Funeral Home, 7000 W. State St, Rockford, IL, 61102 with a funeral service to begin at 7:00 p.m.
