After a brief illness, Donna Belle Degler passed away on June 3, 2021. Donna was born June 23, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Charles and Florence (Lopshire) Douglas, both of whom preceded her in death.
Donna lived in Waynedale most of her life, attending Waynedale Elementary and graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1943. She met her husband Thurl E. Degler while in grade school and then they became high school sweethearts. After high school, Donna became employed as a secretary at the GE on Broadway Ave, as well as volunteering her time with the USO. Upon Thurl's return from serving in the Navy during World War II, Donna and Thurl married on July 26, 1947. After building a home together, they welcomed their only child, Jill Degler Thornton, on July 10, 1954. Donna, ever a volunteer, was a Girl Scout leader, as well as the leader of the Peppy Pals 4-H club for several years. In the 1970's Donna worked as a teacher's aide at Waynedale Elementary as she loved interacting and helping children. After her husband's death in 1993, Donna learned how to drive and began volunteering again. She helped out with social activities at Kingston Nursing Home, and joined Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church's quilting group. She and her group of quilters made quilts that were sent overseas and to various social services organizations in Ft. Wayne. Donna was a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Waynedale. She was a proud, strong willed, and caring person who always wanted the best for her family.
Donna leaves behind her daughter Jill Thornton (Dave), and grandsons, Kurt Waggoner (Allison), Scott Waggoner (Sydney), and granddaughter Layla Waggoner, all of South Bend, Indiana.
A special thank you to Donna's niece, Vicki Ferrier, and her husband Mike, for looking after her, especially this past year when COVID restricted her ability to leave her home.
Greenlawn Funeral Home is in charge of Donna's funeral arrangements and burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Private Family services were held.
Donna lived in Waynedale most of her life, attending Waynedale Elementary and graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1943. She met her husband Thurl E. Degler while in grade school and then they became high school sweethearts. After high school, Donna became employed as a secretary at the GE on Broadway Ave, as well as volunteering her time with the USO. Upon Thurl's return from serving in the Navy during World War II, Donna and Thurl married on July 26, 1947. After building a home together, they welcomed their only child, Jill Degler Thornton, on July 10, 1954. Donna, ever a volunteer, was a Girl Scout leader, as well as the leader of the Peppy Pals 4-H club for several years. In the 1970's Donna worked as a teacher's aide at Waynedale Elementary as she loved interacting and helping children. After her husband's death in 1993, Donna learned how to drive and began volunteering again. She helped out with social activities at Kingston Nursing Home, and joined Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church's quilting group. She and her group of quilters made quilts that were sent overseas and to various social services organizations in Ft. Wayne. Donna was a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Waynedale. She was a proud, strong willed, and caring person who always wanted the best for her family.
Donna leaves behind her daughter Jill Thornton (Dave), and grandsons, Kurt Waggoner (Allison), Scott Waggoner (Sydney), and granddaughter Layla Waggoner, all of South Bend, Indiana.
A special thank you to Donna's niece, Vicki Ferrier, and her husband Mike, for looking after her, especially this past year when COVID restricted her ability to leave her home.
Greenlawn Funeral Home is in charge of Donna's funeral arrangements and burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Private Family services were held.
After a brief illness, Donna Belle Degler passed away on June 3, 2021. Donna was born June 23, 1925 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to the late Charles and Florence (Lopshire) Douglas, both of whom preceded her in death.
Donna lived in Waynedale most of her life, attending Waynedale Elementary and graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1943. She met her husband Thurl E. Degler while in grade school and then they became high school sweethearts. After high school, Donna became employed as a secretary at the GE on Broadway Ave, as well as volunteering her time with the USO. Upon Thurl's return from serving in the Navy during World War II, Donna and Thurl married on July 26, 1947. After building a home together, they welcomed their only child, Jill Degler Thornton, on July 10, 1954. Donna, ever a volunteer, was a Girl Scout leader, as well as the leader of the Peppy Pals 4-H club for several years. In the 1970's Donna worked as a teacher's aide at Waynedale Elementary as she loved interacting and helping children. After her husband's death in 1993, Donna learned how to drive and began volunteering again. She helped out with social activities at Kingston Nursing Home, and joined Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church's quilting group. She and her group of quilters made quilts that were sent overseas and to various social services organizations in Ft. Wayne. Donna was a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Waynedale. She was a proud, strong willed, and caring person who always wanted the best for her family.
Donna leaves behind her daughter Jill Thornton (Dave), and grandsons, Kurt Waggoner (Allison), Scott Waggoner (Sydney), and granddaughter Layla Waggoner, all of South Bend, Indiana.
A special thank you to Donna's niece, Vicki Ferrier, and her husband Mike, for looking after her, especially this past year when COVID restricted her ability to leave her home.
Greenlawn Funeral Home is in charge of Donna's funeral arrangements and burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Private Family services were held.
Donna lived in Waynedale most of her life, attending Waynedale Elementary and graduating from Elmhurst High School in 1943. She met her husband Thurl E. Degler while in grade school and then they became high school sweethearts. After high school, Donna became employed as a secretary at the GE on Broadway Ave, as well as volunteering her time with the USO. Upon Thurl's return from serving in the Navy during World War II, Donna and Thurl married on July 26, 1947. After building a home together, they welcomed their only child, Jill Degler Thornton, on July 10, 1954. Donna, ever a volunteer, was a Girl Scout leader, as well as the leader of the Peppy Pals 4-H club for several years. In the 1970's Donna worked as a teacher's aide at Waynedale Elementary as she loved interacting and helping children. After her husband's death in 1993, Donna learned how to drive and began volunteering again. She helped out with social activities at Kingston Nursing Home, and joined Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church's quilting group. She and her group of quilters made quilts that were sent overseas and to various social services organizations in Ft. Wayne. Donna was a lifelong member of Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church in Waynedale. She was a proud, strong willed, and caring person who always wanted the best for her family.
Donna leaves behind her daughter Jill Thornton (Dave), and grandsons, Kurt Waggoner (Allison), Scott Waggoner (Sydney), and granddaughter Layla Waggoner, all of South Bend, Indiana.
A special thank you to Donna's niece, Vicki Ferrier, and her husband Mike, for looking after her, especially this past year when COVID restricted her ability to leave her home.
Greenlawn Funeral Home is in charge of Donna's funeral arrangements and burial will follow at Greenlawn Memorial Park Cemetery. Private Family services were held.
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