Donna S. Heidemann
Donna S. Heidemann, 68, of Elkville, passed away at 3:00 A.M., Saturday, October 31, 2015 at the Shawnee Christian Nursing Center in Herrin.
She was born January 27, 1947 at Du Quoin, IL, the daughter of Paul Arkell and Virginia M. (Degenhardt) Lynch.
Donna had attended Elkville Elementary School, where she developed an early love for literature and animals. After attending high school in both Hillsboro and Elkville, she went on to SIUC to earn her BA in English and then to North Texas State to earn her Masters Degree in Library Science. Donna eventually returned to Elkville, when her father fell ill from black lung. At that time, she worked for the Elverado School System as a librarian and she worked for the Elkville Township as a librarian and in the water department.
In October of 1998, she began working for the Pinckneyville Correctional Center. During her fourteen years as Librarian I, Donna worked her way through the decade while caring for her mother, Virginia, until her motherÃs passing in 2010, and while fighting and winning her first bout with breast cancer. After retiring in 2012, she was able to relax for a little over a year before being diagnosed with cancer for a second time. Through 2014 and 2015, she fought the disease ferociously, never admitting defeat. Her desire to live and friendly demeanor affected everyone around her, until the disease finally claimed victory on October 31, 2015.
She is survived by two sons - Evan Heidemann and wife Nikki of Marion and Eric Heidemann of Pinckneyville, two grandchildren - Hayden Hunter Heidemann and Cordelia Heidemann, both of Marion, one brother - Paul Allen Lynch of Murphysboro, one aunt - Geraldine Webb of Corpus Christi, TX, her former spouse - Charles Allen Heidemann of Makanda, her two old cats - Baby and Ebony of Elkville, and many cousins.
She was preceded in death by her parents, grandparents - John and Hattie Degenhardt, two uncles - Lewis Lynch and wife Doris and Millard Lynch and one aunt - Genevieve Copeland and husband Richard.
Memorial visitation will be from 5 to 7 P.M., Wednesday, November 4, 2015 at the Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin.
Friends may make memorials to Breast Cancer Center in Carbondale and will be accepted at the funeral home.
For additional information or to sign the memorial guest register, please visit www.searbyfuneralhomes.com.