Donna Grace Knisely

Donna Grace Knisely, 94, of Bucyrus, died Monday, December 9, 2013 at Heartland of Bucyrus.

She was born March 20, 1919 in Bucyrus to the late Guy and Viola (Bauer) Shumaker and graduated from North Robinson High School. Following school, she and her high school sweetheart, Glenn E. “Skinny” Knisely went to Covington, Ky. where they were married, sharing 59 years together until his passing in August of 1997. Glenn and Donna returned to Bucyrus where he continued farming on Remlinger Road and she gladly became a farm wife and homemaker. She loved preparing meals for her family and fellow farmers and Donna took much pride in keeping the home clean and tidy. As her family grew, Donna kept busy as a bookkeeper for O.F. Kime Lumber Co. and then at Ekleberry Poultry.

Once Glenn retired from day-to-day farming, they took up traveling and ventured throughout North America and Europe. These trips were where Donna was known to have gathered her collection of ceramic plates and bells from various stops.

Donna was a loving and friendly lady who went out of her way to see that others were treated fairly, especially her family whom she loved and cherished. She enjoyed sewing for family and friends and spent many hours canning. She attended church at the Bucyrus UMC when she was able and, in addition to her ceramic plate and bell collection, Donna loved collecting ceramic birds.

She is survived by two children, Brenda Kay Harris of Bucyrus and Gregory Shannon Knisely of Hendersonville, Tenn.; seven grandchildren, Kelly (Rick) Pugh, Michael Harris, Lori (John) Therrell, Jeremy (Shelley) Knisely, Tabitha (Carl) York, Glenn (Cindi) Welsh and Justine (Paul) Moodespaugh; numerous great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. Also surviving is her sister, Marvel (Julian “Soupy”) Dornan of Thornville, Ohio and sister-in-law, Belle Shumaker of North Robinson.

She is preceded in death by one daughter, Bonnie Catherine Welsh; her twin brother, Donald Shumaker; three sisters, Dorothy Dinkle, Katherine Blackford and Marilyn Sloyer and one son-in-law, Bill Harris.

Friends may call from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Thursday, December 12 at Wise Funeral Service where her funeral will begin at 1:00 p.m. that day with Rev. Don Kraps officiating. Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Galion.

Her family requests that in lieu of flowers, contributions be given to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through the funeral home.



Visitation:

Thursday, December 12, 2013 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Service:

Thursday, December 12, 2013 1:00 p.m.

Wise Funeral Service, 129 W. Warren St., Bucyrus, Ohio 44820



Cemetery:

Fairview Cemetery, 1295 Fairview Ave., Galion, Ohio 44833