STEELEVILLE - Donna L. (Uchtman) Mitchell, 76, passed away at 3:15 am Monday, February 19, 2024, at The Manor at Craig Farms.  She was born on August 11, 1947, at Chester Memorial Hospital, the daughter of Merrell S. and T. Lucille (Block) Uchtman.

After graduating from Steeleville High School in 1965, Donna attended SIU Carbondale and received a Bachelor's degree in Education in 1969.  Donna married Paul S. Mitchell on May 24, 1969.  They were divorced in October 1990.  She worked as an elementary school teacher and Head Start Education Coordinator until moving to Central Illinois in 1995.   She then worked as a regional coordinator for the Illinois Assistive Technology Program and then finished her work career as a Field Coordinator for the Area Agency on Aging for Lincoln Land, both in Springfield, Illinois.  She completed Master level coursework at the University of Illinois in Springfield in the field of Gerontology.

Donna was a past member of local, state, and national education associations, served as a Board member and Board secretary for the Illinois Assistive Technology Program, and after losing all her hearing in 1990, was a member of the Association of Late Deafened Adults (ALDA) and to the Cochlear Implant family.

Donna's pride and joy survive; her two sons:  Tim (Dr. Sara Malone) Mitchell of Steeleville, IL and Colonel Rick (Rachel) Mitchell of Lee's Summit, MO.  The wonder of her six grandchildren brought her so much pleasure:  Isla Mitchell, Tyler and Shelby Malone of Steeleville, IL, and Shafer, Grace, and Olivia Mitchell of Lee's Summit, MO.

She is also survived by siblings:  Kathryn (Jerry) Mines of Carlyle, IL; Alan (Patti) Uchtman of Steeleville, IL; Talitha (Stephen) Elsea of Perryville, MO; Bruce Uchtman of Steeleville, IL.  Her aunts:  Emilie Roehrkasse of Steeleville, IL and Fay (Leonard) Lukasik of Castle Rock, CO, and special caring niece, Michelle VanDorn of Troy, IL.    She was also fortunate to have an extended family of many nieces, nephews, grand nieces and nephews, cousins, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Merrell and Lucille Uchtman, and grandparents, Carl and Olga Block and Elmer and Alma Uchtman.  She also lost aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, February 24, 2024, at Peace Lutheran Church, Steeleville, with Rev. Ken Tegtmier officiating. Burial will follow at St.John's Lutheran Cemetery, Bremen. Visitation will be at Wilson's Funeral Home, Steeleville, where friends may call on Friday from 6 pm until 8 pm then on Saturday from 9 am until 10 am at the church. Memorials may be given to Steeleville Education Foundation Endowment.

To quote Alexander McCall Smith: "Dead people do not altogether leave us, they are still with us in memories, wherever we are, no matter what time of day it is or how we are feeling, they are there, still shining the light of their love upon us." Her favorite toast was: "To Family:  Past, Present and Future.  May you forever be held in our hearts if not our hands."