(From Parker Mortuary)Donna Jo VanCleave, 80, of Galena, Kansas, passed away Friday, April 21, 2023 in her home. She was born in Sapulpa, Oklahoma, on May 28, 1942.
Donna grew up in Sapulpa, with her parents, Donald and Lucille Rebholz. After graduating high school from Sapulpa High in 1960, she went to Northeastern State College at Tahlequah, Oklahoma where she completed her Bachelor of Science in Education in 1964. She was a member of Beta Gamma chapter of Alpha Sigma Alpha social sorority.
During this time, she met her husband, Bill VanCleave, they married after graduation on June 15, 1963. They were married for 58 years.
She began her teaching career in Jay, Oklahoma and taught a few years in Baxter Springs, Kansas. She went on to teach in Joplin, Missouri until retirement. Soon after retirement, she became a substitute teacher in the Galena School District. The students loved her and called her “Grandmother”.
Donna was a supporting wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She and her husband, Bill, made Galena, Kansas their home for over 50 years. Donna was a devout catholic and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galena. She loved to read, tell stories, listen to music, dance and most of all, she loved to attend football games. She had a gift of always making friends and having fun.
She began her teaching career in Jay, Oklahoma and taught a few years in Baxter Springs, Kansas. She went on to teach in Joplin, Missouri until retirement. Soon after retirement, she became a substitute teacher in the Galena School District. The students loved her and called her “Grandmother”.
Donna was a supporting wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She and her husband, Bill, made Galena, Kansas their home for over 50 years. Donna was a devout catholic and was a member of St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Galena. She loved to read, tell stories, listen to music, dance and most of all, she loved to attend football games. She had a gift of always making friends and having fun.
She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother, Bill Rebholz, and husband, Bill VanCleave. She is survived by: two sisters, Pamela Gustavus of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Martha Henderson/Jenkins, of Tulsa OK, and one brother, Michael Rebholz of Wagoner, OK, son, Toby VanCleave and daughter-in-law, Shelli VanCleave of Galena, Kansas, daughter, Wendy Martin and son-in-law, Doug Martin of Galena, Kansas, daughter, Jenny Georgie and son-in-law, Shawn Georgie of Lawrence, Kansas, grandchildren: Whittney and Lyle Burditt, Jacoby and Laci Martin, Tyler and Marissa VanCleave, Kansas and Gage Girton, Michael Georgie, Macey and Grant North, Matthew Georgie, Mason Georgie, and great-granddaughter, Hartleigh Martin, Waylon Girton, Gentry Martin, Avery Burditt, Wade VanCleave.
The Funeral Rosary will be on Saturday, April 29, at 10:30 a.m. and Funeral Mass begins at 11:00 am at the St. Patrick’s Church in Galena, Kansas, with Father Jeremy Huser presiding. A private family burial service will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery, Galena, KS.
Cremation arrangements are under the direction of Parker Mortuary, Joplin, Missouri.
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