Donna Anne Gillespie, age 74, of Belle Center, passed away unexpectedly at 8:23 a.m. on Sunday, June 23, 2024. She was born on October 6, 1949, in Hamilton, Ohio, to the late Donald E. and Jeanette (Weiss) Schellenbach.
On November 21, 1987, she married Paul Thomas Gillespie, who survives in Belle Center.
Donna is also survived by her sister, Cynthia (Cindy) Schellenbach; daughters, Amber (David) Felgar and Amanda Gillespie; stepchildren, Brian (Lora) Gillespie and Sandy (Victor) Turner; grandchildren, Zachary (Shelby) Gillespie, Shelby (Cameron) Sauerland, Logan (Sarah) Gillespie, Corinne Turner, Maddix Turner, Macon Phillips, Lawson Neal, Braelynn, Jordyn, and Mason Felgar; nephew, Jonathan Brown; step-niece, Nikki (Donnie) Knapp; step-nephew, Troy (Elizabeth) Brown; many great-grandchildren, great-nieces, and great-nephews; and her special furry companion, Rocko.
Preceding her in death was her father, Donald E. Schellenbach; her mother, Jeanette (Weiss) Schellenbach; her beloved horses, Winnie, Dandy, and Casey; and her cherished dog, Mr. Mutzky.
Donna graduated as valedictorian and class speaker from Stephen T. Badin High School in Hamilton, Ohio, Class of 1968. She earned her degree from Miami University (Ohio) and served as an office manager for a busy dentist for nearly twenty years before managing the medical office at Bellefontaine Family Healthcare for thirty years. A devout Roman Catholic, Donna taught the 1st grade CCD class at St. Patrick’s for over two decades alongside her beloved husband.
Father Shawn Landenwitch will officiate a Mass of Christian Burial at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, July 2, at St. Mary of the Woods Catholic Church, 464 Madison Avenue, Russells Point. Visitation will be from 10 to 11 a.m. at the church on the same day. Burial will follow at Greenlawn Cemetery in Wapakoneta.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Home Away from Home, 8140 State Route 117, Huntsville, Ohio 43324.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home & Cremation Center, Bellefontaine, is honored to serve the Gillespie family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
