Diane Doner

(From Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary)

Diane Elaine (Mound) Doner passed away following surgery on September 11, 2018.

Diane was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, on August 16, 1931 to Dwight Edwin and Florence Geraldine (Roberts) Mound. Her family moved a lot because her father worked within the sales division of Armstrong Cork, but she spent the longest periods of her childhood in New Orleans around World War II and in the Webster Groves suburb of St. Louis for most of her high school years. Upon graduation, she went to DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, earning her Psychology degree in 1953. During that time she developed an interest in anthropology, especially American Indian culture, and did her best to help ease hardships in those communities today.

After college, she traveled the country working for Procter & Gamble as a nutrition consultant. She saved most of her salary for 3 years and then went on a 6-month self-guided tour of Europe and places in the Middle East and Africa. She went to work for Ralston Purina in St. Louis when she returned. That’s where she met and married the late Irvin Doner in 1958.

Diane and Irvin lived in Florissant, Missouri and Decatur, Illinois before they settled in Joplin, Missouri in 1974. For most of her married life, Diane was a homemaker and avid volunteer. She was an active member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, singing in the choir and serving in a semi-permanent position on the Evangelism Committee. She was also active in PEO Chapter GA until her death. She worked part-time jobs with the US Census Bureau, Nielsen Market Research, and Enterprise Rental Car after the children graduated from high school. Her passions included music, her faith, the St. Louis Cardinals, and her family.

Diane and Irv’s five children survive them: Karl (and wife Joan) in Joplin; Laura in Joplin; Kurt (and wife Carole) in Lawrenceville, Georgia; Ken in Island Lake, Illinois; and Stuart (and wife Susan) in Woodbridge, Virginia, along with 8 grandchildren. Diane also leaves behind her sister, Barbara Hansen (and husband Richard) in Sanibel, Florida, and beloved nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her youngest sister, Marilyn B. Scott.

Funeral Services for Mrs. Doner will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, September 17, 2018, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Joplin with Rev. Gregory Mech officiating. Burial will follow at Osborne Cemetery in Joplin. The family will receive friends for visitation from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. Sunday in the chapel of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Martin Luther Christian School in care of the mortuary. Online condolences may be sent through our website www.thornhilldillon.com. Arrangements are under the personal care and direction of Thornhill-Dillon Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.

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