Donna Ruth Gunnell was born January 20, 1939, the second girl and youngest or four children born to Bill and Ruth Blackwell of Stuttgart. Her parents blessed her by bringing her to be made a child of God through Holy Baptism at Saint John’s Lutheran Church, on March 8th of that same year. She was then confirmed in her baptismal faith at Saint John’s on December 12, 1954. The verse given to be “her verse” was 2nd Peter 3:18: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be glory both now and forever! Amen. She remained a member of Saint John’s throughout her life.
Donna attended school in Stuttgart and was graduated from Stuttgart High School. Her career kept her closely associated with the Stuttgart school system as she worked in the cafeteria for the Stuttgart School District for 40 years; most recently at Park Avenue Elementary School. She will be missed by her co-workers and all her “babies” at Park Avenue.
Donna died this past Saturday, April 16, 2016 at Crestpark at the age of 77 years. She was preceded in death by her parents, two brothers, Bill and Donald Blackwell and one sister, Shirley Ann Blackwell.
She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Thomas Gunnell of Casscoe; two sons, Denny and Barry Gunnell of Casscoe; one daughter, Shirley Boston (Sam) of Stuttgart; three grandchildren, Dylan Gunnell, Brice and Brandon Boston; and two great-grandchildren.
The Family requests memorials be made to Shiloh Cemetery in care of Eunice Montgomery, 510 West 10th Street in Stuttgart.
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