Donna J. Leonard Obituary (1944 - 2020)

Donna Jean Leonard, 75, of Cornell, Illinois, passed away suddenly in her own home the morning of December 7th, 2020. A visitation will be held at Duffy--Baier--Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac, Illinois from 12p.m. to 6p.m. on Wednesday, December 9th. Due to COVID-19, rotations of 10 visitors at a time will be allowed. A second service will be held December 10th, 2020 at 11a.m. in the Cornell Cemetery with the Reverend Don Leonard officiating. Memorials may be made to Cornell United Methodist Church and the Livingston County Humane Society. Donna was born in Pontiac, Illinois on December the 15th, 1944, to Everett and Dorothy (Kramer) Baughman. She married Richard K. Leonard on May 26th, 1968. He survives in Cornell. She is survived by, her only son, Kerry K. (Daisy) Leonard, eldest and youngest granddaughters Mallory Jean and Marqui Rae, whom she all loved dearly. She is survived by sisters Ruth Oesch of Normal, IL and Linda (Bob) Nieukirk of Washington, IL. She is survived by her brother-in-law Donald (Patricia) Leonard. Donna is also survived by her beloved nieces and nephews; Dan (Stephanie) Leonard, Melissa (Wade) Jensen, Tony (Shelly) Lehman, John Lehman, Pamela Oesch-Ganza, Don Oesch, Melissa (Jim) Klockow, Michael (Christina) Oesch, Eric (Sara) Nieukirk, Brian (Jamie) Nieukirk, Timothy Nieukirk, followed by several great and great-great nieces and nephews. She was proceeded in death by her parents, brother and sister-in-law Donald (Judy) Baughman, brother-in-law Ted Oesch, mother-in-law Beulah Leonard, father-in-law Lloyd B. Leonard whom she compassionately cared for, and nephew Donald Baughman Jr. Donna graduated from Minonk-Dana-Rutland High School (now known as Fieldcrest) in 1962. She attended Mennonite School of Nursing, graduating in 1965. Donna began her successful career with St. James Hospital immediately following her completion of Nursing School. She was incredibly passionate about her career as a nurse beginning in Continuing Care and eventually finding her heart in the Emergency Department. Donna volunteered countless hours in her pursuit of improved ambulatory care. She touched countless hearts with her caring ways in her years of nursing at the hospital going the extra mile to show compassion and thoughtfulness in times of strife. Additionally, Donna served as the Amity Township Clerk, Treasurer for the Cornell United Methodist Church, and pillar for success of 50+ years for Dick's Custom Cabinets in Cornell, IL. Donna Jean enjoyed cooking, baking, gardening, sewing, listening to Bluegrass, reading all sorts of literature, and spending time with her family (including her chocolate lab, Cocoa) which she dearly loved. She enjoyed travelling with her husband, including trips to Brazil, the joining of her son and daughter-in-law in St. Thomas, and multiple adventures with the Flanagan State Bank Road Runners throughout the entire United States. Donna will forever be remembered as a thoughtful, comical, caring, compassionate, warm-hearted, and talented woman of God. She was an extremely wise individual who shared much of her wisdom with some very special people along the way. She will be forever missed as a wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister, cousin, "second mother," caretaker, and friend. Online condolences may be made to the family at duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.