Donna Jean (Coahran) Banning

Donna Jean Banning, age 84 of Mishawaka, Indiana passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017 at Elmhurst Hospital in Elmhurst, Illinois.  Donna was born January 13, 1933 in Walkerton, Indiana to the late Chester A. and Hazel (Teter) Coahran.  She was a graduate of Riley High School in South Bend, and later graduated with a degree in Business Administration from Indiana University, Bloomington and Elmhurst College in Illinois.  On June 20, 1953, she married O. Eugene “Gene” Banning in South Bend. Together, they lived in Chicago for 30 years before moving to Mishawaka in 1998.  Gene preceded her in death, passing away January 31, 2005.

Surviving are her children Debra (Jeffrey Jr.) Mahl of Melbourne, Florida, Steven (Marcia) Banning of Mariposa, California, Bruce (Tanya) Banning of Marshall, Michigan, and Tamara Jilek of Villa Park, Illinois.  Also surviving are her brothers Ray Coahran of Lakeview, Arkansas and F. Dale (Sharon) Coahran of South Bend, Indiana.  Donna is survived as well by 12 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.  She was preceded in death by her son in law Michael Jilek and her sister in law Joan Coahran.

There will be one hour of visitation prior to the 1:00 pm funeral service on Monday, December 18, 2017 at Cruz Family Funeral Home in Osceola, Indiana.  Interment will follow in Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens.

Donna was a longtime member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in South Bend.  She was employed for many years as an Executive Secretary at Helene Curtis in Chicago and volunteered at the South Bend Library, which later led to full time employment.  Donna enjoyed spending time outdoors gardening, sewing and traveling with her husband.

In lieu of flowers, Donna requested memorial donations be made in her memory to the Willowbrook High School Memorial Fund, Villa Park, Illinois.  To light a virtual candle or leave an online condolence for her family, please follow the links provided.