Donna grew up in Dongola, Illinois where she was the majorette for the high school marching band. She then attended Southern Illinois University Carbondale where she received her elementary teaching degree and met her husband, John Clutts. They were married, moved to St. Louis and started their family.
After teaching eighth grade for a year at Anna-Jonesboro school, Donna became a mother and spent many years with her main focus being on raising her family. She was also active in study clubs, leading cancer drives, book clubs, and PTO. The First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Vernon, Illinois also played an important role in her life where she taught Sunday school and Bible school for many years.
Donna was a substitute teacher before teaching several years (as a first and second grade teacher) at Horace Mann School in Mt. Vernon. After she retired, she moved to Freeburg, Illinois to be closer to her family – and anyone who knew Donna knew that family was always the most important thing to her, with her grandchildren being the highlight of her life. Watching Jayde in plays (and visiting her in Disney) going to Austin’s basketball games, watching Bella dance and Aria do her gymnastics was her absolute joy. Then, when Kayla joined the family, her band performances were added to the things she enjoyed.
Holidays were always a celebration with Christmas being her favorite time of year (followed closely by Thanksgiving). She loved traveling – mostly to Disney and Nashville, and music was a huge part of her life (Elvis!). Donna was the rock of her family and never missed a chance to tell her family to take the time to enjoy the memories, love your family, and never stop dancing.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of almost 23 years, John W. Clutts, whom she married on May 9, 1964, and who died on May 6, 1987; her parents, Don and Imogene, nee Stoner, Cauble; and a son, John Douglas Clutts.
She is survived by her two daughters, Tracy (Jack) Gerber and Natalie (Jeremy) Hayes;
and five grandchildren, Jayde (Cody) Powers, Kayla Gerber, Austin Lickenbrock, Isabella Hayes, and Ariana Hayes.
Memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, November 10, 2022, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Brian Robison officiating.
Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday, November 11, 2022, at St. John’s Cemetery, Dongola, IL.