Donna F. Plank, 88, of rural West Liberty, passed away Thursday, September 26, 2024, at her home with her family around her.
Donna was born in Garden City, Missouri on November 7, 1935, the daughter of the late Chauncey Gideon and Pearl Arie (Detweiler) Smucker.
Donna married Joseph Lee Plank on August 16, 1957, in South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty, Ohio and he preceded her in death on December 18, 2022. She is also preceded in death by siblings, Mary Lou (Samuel) Plank, John Edward Smucker, and Robert Smucker.
Donna is survived by a son, J. Mark (Kathy) Plank of Syracuse, IN, a daughter, Cara (Jim Sheriff) Plank Wolfe of West Liberty, and grandchildren; Tyler (Aubree) Peterson, Margaret Plank, Josh (Sammy) Plank, Jordon (Stephanie) Wolfe, Jonathan Wolfe, Joel Plank, Luke (Megan) Wolfe, Landon (Kylie) Wolfe, Jacob (Ali) Plank, and a great granddaughter, Amelia Peterson, her siblings, Ann Mast and Joe (Cheryl) Smucker a sister-in-law, Ebbie Smucker and many nieces and nephews.
Donna graduated from Hesston Academy in Hesston, KS, in 1953 and went on to get her associate’s degree from Hesston College and received her bachelor’s from Urbana College. She worked several years as the administrative assistant to the Superintendent of Champaign County Schools. She also worked as a homemaker, raising her children and taking care of her family. She even helped Lee out with farming and was proud of her and Lee’s accomplishment when they were able to stack over 1,000 bales of hay in one day before she did laundry and cooked supper.
She was a member of South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty, where she served as the church secretary for many years. She was also a volunteer with 4-H, serving as an advisor for nine years. She loved to sew, quilt and when she wasn’t crafting, she was likely reading a book.
Pastor Matthew Williams will officiate a funeral service at 11 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, in South Union Mennonite Church, West Liberty, where visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will follow in the South Union Mennonite Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to South Union Mennonite Church, 56 St. Rt. 508, West Liberty, OH 43357 or to Interim HealthCare & Hospice, 3745 Shawnee Rd, Suites 108 & 109 Lima, OH 45806.
Eichholtz Daring & Sanford Funeral Home, West Liberty, is honored to serve the Plank family and encourages anyone to share a fond memory or message of condolence at www.edsfh.com.
