Donna Mester

Donna Smith Mester was one of those remarkable people who made it her mission to love and care for others in ways both great and small. She was beautiful on the inside and out, and someone who was a true joy to be around. As far as Donna was concerned, there was no greater gift than her family, and she went out of her way to make sure that each and every member of her family knew how uniquely they were loved. Donna was a woman of faith whose life was guided by the beliefs that were engraved upon her heart. Although her family and friends now say goodbye, they will be forever grateful for having been given such an extraordinary woman to cherish.

The year 1941 is most often remembered as the year that our nation was attacked at our naval base in Pearl Harbor after WWII had been raging on overseas for more than two years. That year was part of a decade that was very much defined by the war, but it was also the victory we and our allies experienced that finally pushed the Great Depression behind us for good. Just prior to that fateful day in December, there was great joy in the family of Guy and Norma (Rice) Johnson since they were pleased to announce the birth of their daughter, Donna Sue, on July 26th. Born in Macedonia, Illinois, Donna was one of four children in her family including her brother, Glen, and her sisters, Ruth Ann and Karen. Tragedy struck early in Donna’s family. Her sister Ruth Ann passed away when she was a little girl and her father died in a coal mine explosion in 1952.

Donna attended school in southern Illinois, and it was as a high school student that she met the man with whom she established the family she adored. Just one day after her 16th birthday, Donna married her high school sweetheart and the young couple moved north and settled in Manteno. Two years later, the couple was blessed with their first of five children including four daughters, Kim, Darla, Mickie, and Christina, and one son, Guy. Donna fully immersed herself into caring for her children, providing not only for their physical needs but their emotional needs as well. Since all of their birthdays were around the holidays, her children will never forget the times they occasionally received birthday gifts in August as a special treat.

As her children grew older and established families of their own, Donna played a vital role in the lives of her daughters. She came alongside them as they raised their children, and being a grandmother was her greatest source of pride and joy. Donna was active in the lives of her grandchildren, regularly attending their school and sporting events and cheering them on from the sidelines. The relationships shared with extended family were always a priority for Donna, too, as they took several trips to Metropolis so they could see their cousins. Cody will forever treasure the special trip he took to see Allison and the memories they created together are truly priceless. Jaylin also will never forget his special trip to Hawaii with grandma. When the holidays came around, Donna’s mother did most of the cooking each year, and the great food was always accompanied by family fun.

Although family occupied the biggest place in Donna’s heart, she also busied herself with other things at times. She worked at Manteno State Hospital for 20 years, but it was her most recent job in the paint division at Ace Hardware in Matteson IL. Donna was a member of First Baptist Church in Manteno, and she enjoyed arts, crafts, and arranging flowers.

Over the years, life was full of both peaks and valleys for Donna. Her life was forever changed when she married Robert Mester in 1987. Together they enjoyed the sunset of their lives, and Donna was deeply saddened with his death in 2009. She struggled with heart disease for quite some time, even undergoing open heart surgery this past July.

Even though Donna Mester was strikingly beautiful on the outside, it was who she was on the inside that made her unforgettable. She worked hard in whatever she did and carried herself with a graceful strength that didn’t go unnoticed by others. Donna lived to spend time with the family she treasured, and her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were the light of her life. She leaves behind a beautiful history that will live on in the hearts and lives of those she leaves behind. Donna will be deeply missed.

Donna Smith Mester died on December 5, 2010. Donna’s family includes her mother of Manteno, daughters, Kim (Don) Canada of Metropolis, Illinois, Darla (Phil) Michel of Bourbonnais, Mickie (Greg) Lacer of Arvada, Colorado and Christina (Rich) Samuelson of Bourbonnais; sister, Karen Howdeshell of Kankakee; sister-in-law, Mary Johnson; mother, Norma Johnson; grandchildren, Kelli Tirey, Darrell Canada, Allison Canada, Misty Fritz, Mandy Schreiner and Cody Samuelson; nine great-grandchildren. Donna was preceded in death by her father, Guy Johnson; her son, Guy Smith; her brother, Glen Johnson; and one sister, Ruth Ann Johnson. A celebration of life funeral service for Donna will be held on Thursday, December 9, 2010, at 10 a.m. at the First Baptist Church in Manteno IL. A gathering time for friends and family will from 4-7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 8, 2010, at the Bourbonnais Chapel of the Schreffler Funeral Homes. Please visit www.lifestorynet.com where you can leave a favorite memory or photo or sign the online guestbook.