Obituary of Donna Lee Sherrill
Donna Lee Elizabeth Samuels was born on May 26, 1935 in Keokuk, Iowa, the daughter of William Cruise Samuels and Bertha Alice Alberts. She was raised in Keokuk and attended St. Vincent's Elementary at St. Peter's Catholic High School, graduating in may 1954.
On June 24, 1954, Donna Lee married Stanley Edward Sherrill at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church (now All Saints' Church) in Keokuk.
Donna was a member of Sts. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, Ladies Aide, and Catholic Daughters of America.
She is survived by her husband of almost 55 years, Stanley Edward "Honey" Sherrill of Milford. Daughters: Theresa Reiter (Steve) of Garner, Iowa; Tina Sherrill-Range (Kevin) of Milford, Iowa; and Trudy West (Robert) of West Bend, Iowa. Son: Timothy Sherrill (Kellie) of Dallas, Texas.
Grandchildren; Devin Range (Laura) and Jessica Range of Cedar Falls, Iowa, and Sadie Range of Milford; Marie Reiter Allen (Jeff) of Fort Collins, Colorado, Geoff Reiter of Northfield, Minnesota, and Lynne Reiter of Garner; Adam West of San Marcos, Texas and Amy West of Austin, Texas; and Carter and Garrett Wilson of Dallas, Texas. Great Grandchildren: Addyson West of Michigan, and Stratton Range of Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Sister, Mary Margaret Beasley of Keokuk, Iowa and Brothers-in-Law, Dewain (Ruth) Sherrill of Hamilton, Illinois and Marvin (Rosann) Sherrill of Madison, Wisconsin.
Special cousins: Mrs. Shirley (Dennis) Fredrickson of Revere, Missouri; Ms. Bonnie Mosley of Montrose, Iowa; Mrs. Judith (Robert) Loter and Ms. Sandra Clark of Hamilton, Illinois; Mrs. Dawn Monical of Keokuk, Iowa; and Mr. Stephen (Julie) Hubbard of Simi Valley, California.
Special Friends: Mrs. Frances McAndrews and Mrs. Mary Ellen (Marvin, Sr.) Alberts of Keokuk; Ms. Janis Anderson of Garland, Texas; mrs. Marge Vote of Dexter, Iowa; and Sister Marcella Greggs of Oregon.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her brother, Jerry Joseph Samuels; nephews Jerry Samuels, Jr.; aunts and uncles: Joseph & Hazel Ritter, Carl & Jess Hooper, Arthur & Ethel Donaldson, Dteven W. & Cecile Hubbard, and Louis & Edith Frakes; special cousins Lori Cleesen and Jack Alberts; and special friend Sister Laurentia Felz.
Donna had many, many joys in her celebration of life. The first, marrying the one and only man of her life, second only to her father William; the birth of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; their weddings, Stan being baptized, confirmed, and receiving his First Communion by her side - her dream fulfilled on May 11, 2005. Another highlight of her live was receiving Holy Communion from Pope John Paull II when he came to Iowa in 1979.
Donna's devotion to many saints of her faith had been a priority of her life. Just a few were Saints Elizabeth, Ann, Stanislaus, Theresa, Maria, Gertrude, and Timothy. One of her favorite saints was St. Anthony, Patron Saint of the Lost. Many friends and family members called her from all over the US for a prayer request.
She was an avid collector of Elvis Presley items such as records, paper books, plates, and pins. She had visited Graceland and Memphis. She was also a huge collector of Catholic religious items, statues, relics, pictures, medals, and rosaries.
Donna was well know as a marketer and appraiser of antiques and was an exhibitor at the Clay County Fair in Spencer for many years. From 1955-1959, she was head chef for the Boy Scouts of America at Camp Eastman in Nauvoo, Illinois and later YMCA Camp Paquotsi also in Nauvoo. She served her Iowa communities of Mediapolis, Deep River, Millersburg, Rolfe, and West Bend as a Girl Scout leader.
One of her long time dreams came true was when she opened "Mom & Me" in West Bend with Tina and Kevin Range who backed her ambition 100% and believed in her dream. She managed and operated S&D Concessions carnival games for 25 years on Merriam's Midway Shows before retiring in 2001.
If Donna Could have an epitaph, she would want it to be "I always was trying to take care of business: and "I had it my way." She leaves this, too, with you, "Remember to smell the flowers, not everyone likes coffee."
