Ona Donahue
Ona Mary Esther (Smith) Donahue, 96, died Aug. 7, 2002, at Hillsboro Community Medical Center.
She was born June 27, 1906, at Durham, the daughter of Cameron D. and Amelia (Weimer) Smith. Ona graduated from Durham High School in 1924. She then attended the University of Kansas and graduated from there in 1928 with a degree in education. Later she earned her masters degree from the University of Wisconsin.
Ona married Daniel Hubert Donahue at Colorado Springs, Colo., in 1930. He has been deceased for many years. The couple had one son, James C. Donahue.
Her first teaching position was in Saratoga, Wyo., later Gering, Neb., and Huntley, Wyo. She retired from teaching after nearly 30 years at Green Bay, Wis. She was a member of the Retired Teachers Association and various other education organizations.
Ona also was a member of the United Methodist Church, sang in the choir for many years at Green Bay, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was a faithful, avid KU basketball fan and Green Bay Packers football fan.
She spent her remaining years at Durham.
Ona is survived by her son, James and wife Joan of Durham/Lincolnville; a brother, Gilman Smith of Salina; sister, Irene Houser of Abilene; four grandchildren; and seven great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Betty Smith; and her husband.
Funeral services were held Saturday morning at Zeiner Funeral Home at Marion. The service was officiated by Pastor Ransom Wiebe.
Music was provided by the Morning Star Mennonite Church Choir. They performed "Sweet Hour of Prayer," "Nearer My God To Thee," and "In The Garden." Lois Winter provided organ music for the prelude and postlude.
Casket bearers were Dudley Donahue, Timothy Donahue, Andrew Donahue, David Hein, Tim Svoboda, and Glennon Crowther. Honorary casket bearer was Ryan Donahue.
Interment was at the Durham Park Cemetery.
A memorial fund has been established with the Morning Star Mennonite Church.
