Dona Rae (Meyer) Dornink, 93, of Freeport IL, passed away on March 8th at Oakley Courts Assisted Living. She was born home in Scioto Mills, IL on November 2, 1932, to Raymond and Iva (Willis) Meyer. Dona was married to Ronald on August 28, 1954 and shared 71 years of marriage.

Dona graduated from Freeport High School in 1950. Following their wedding, Dona joined Ron as he served in the Army. They lived in Fort Knox Kentucky, Germany and Fort Carson in Colorado Springs. She was the mother of 3 children, grandmother to 6 and great grandmother to 10.

Dona and Ron farmed in the Dakota area until their retirement and owned and operated Dornink Flying Service in Dakota. They were long time members of the Illinois and International Flying Farmers. Dona represented the Illinois Chapter as the Queen in 1967. She soloed an airplane in 1966.

Dona devoted much of her life to her family and home as a homemaker, farm wife and mother to 3 children. She was a gardener and seamstress and helped with the local 4-H. She also sang in the choir and participated in mission trips at Faith United Methodist Church where she was a 50+ year member. She loved her grandchildren and great grandchildren, attending their sporting events, school activities, and watching them show cattle at the Stephenson County Fair. She cherished the time she spent babysitting and playing games with them.

After the children were grown, she worked at Rothstein’s and Sherri’s Boutiques in Freeport, often modeling new clothes for the stores.

She loved spending time with family at their Apple Canyon lake home, vacationing throughout the United States and helping out at the farm and airport. She and Ron spent two months a year in Naples, Florida.

Dona is survived by her children: Debra (Mike) DiGvonni, Sally Scaman, and Steve (Suzie) Dornink. 5 grandchildren: Daniel DiGvonni, Megan (Joe) Kerchner, Rachel (Colin) Baker, Samuel (Bailey) Scaman, Evan (Lauren) Dornink and 10 great grandchildren: Hailey and Lily Kerchner, Louis and David DiGvonni, Jack and Elle Baker, Beckett and Brooks Scaman, and Saylor and Jett Dornink. Her sisters Elaine (Homer) Tackett and Patricia Sellman, sister-in-law Colleen Dornink and many nieces and nephews.

She was proceeded in death by her husband Ronald, grandson Erik Dornink, sisters and brother in laws: Mildred and Bob Springman, Evelyn and Jack Durling, Irma and Morrie Ludolph, Betty and John Heiden, Ken and Edna Meyer, and Hollie Sellman. Also, Francis and Karlene Dornink, Richard Dornink, and Darryl and Ruth Dornink.

Services will be held at Winneshiek Church on Thursday, March 12th. Visitation from 9:00-11:00 and Service at 11:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in her name.