Donna E. Pierce

Donna Elizabeth Pierce, 82, of Springfield, died at 7:08 p.m. on Tuesday, August 9, 2011 surrounded by her loving family. Donna was born March 14, 1929 in Minonk, IL, the daughter of Donald and Veramae Rich. She married Jimmie Lee Pierce on April 13, 1950 in Minonk, IL. Donna was born and raised in the small town of Minonk by parents who ran a produce market of eggs and raising chickens. Donna was an employee of Illinois Bell until she met her husband, Jimmie while living in Bloomington. When they were first married, they lived in Olney and soon moved to Springfield. She was a stay at home mom for most of her years raising two daughters, Delane and Denise. Donna worked at Christmas time at the Lindley's Floral Shop in Springfield when her daughters were old enough to be in school. She enjoyed several years as an employee of the House of Representatives under the rein of Speaker Lee A. Daniels, serving as a receptionist on his Research & Appropriations staff. Her three best friends included her husband of 59 years until his death in 2009 and her two daughters. She and her husband shared the friendship of many couples, which they called the "4 o'clock Bunch." In her earlier years she and her sister-in-law, Twyla enjoyed spending time together and traveling to see family and playing bridge with a little shopping on the side. Donna was by far a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, cook, and seamstress. She crocheted many afghans and, according to her daughters, should have been an interior decorator. She had the knack! Donna enjoyed lunch out with her daughters and grandchildren on Saturday afternoons, as well as family and their friends stopping by for Happy Hour. She was a member of the Church of the Little Flower. She was preceded in death by her parents and husband, Jimmie Lee. She is survived by her two daughters, Delane (husband, Ken) Cathers and their children, Brandy (husband, Jason) Loftus, Nick (wife, Leanne) Cathers and Ashley (fianc, Rusty Jones) Cathers; Denise (husband, John) Reid and their daughter, Shannon; two great-granddaughters, Sophia and Samantha and number three on the way. Cremation was accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center. Memorial Gathering: Family will receive friends from 4:00 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 11, 2011 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memorial Ceremony: 10:00 a.m. on Friday, August 12, 2011 at Camp Butler National Cemetery with Rev. Msgr. John Ossola officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to: Leukemia Research Foundation, 2700 Patriot Blvd, Suite 100, Glenview, IL 60026 or American Cancer Society, 687 E. Linton Ave., Springfield, IL 62703.