Donna Rebecca (Willis) Hirsch

Donna Rebecca Willis Hirsch, 86, of Elizabethtown, has went to be with the Lord, on Thursday, March 10, 2016, 2:08 p.m. at the Reflections Care Center in Carterville.  She was the wife of the late Leonard C. Hirsch.  Donna was born on March 16, 1929, the daughter of  Charles W. Willis and Lily Mae Eddings of Gallatin Co. Ill.  She was preceded in death by six siblings:  William Willis, Wilma Johnson, Melvin Willis, Geneva Mathis, Betty Seaman, and Norma Rich.  Donna is survived by four sons:  Thomas L. Hirsch, (wife Brenda, daughter Caitlin); Timothy C. Hirsch, (daughter Hallie, son Tyler);  Joseph “Ted” Hirsch (wife Sue, daughter Alex, son Sam);  Michael “Troy” Hirsch, (daughter Madison); one great grandchild Liam Hirsch; one God child, Becca Harper Mathis.  She also had numerous cousins, nieces and nephews who will miss her.  Youngest of her family, Donna was raised on the family farm south of New Shawneetown in Gallatin Co., Ill.  William Arch Willis, ca 1837-1916, built the family home from timber cut on the farm.  Stones for the chimney and foundation were shaped from stones from this land.  One of  Donna’s ancestors went to California during the “49" Gold Rush.  When he returned home he built the Ringgold Church on family property south of Shawneetown.  He was deacon of this church for many years.  This is the church Donna attended as a child.  Her Father was a deacon and a choir leader at this church.  Donna graduated from Shawneetown High School in 1947 and later attended Lockyear Business College in Evansville, Ind.  Graduating with honors she found employment with Nugent Sand and Gravel Company of Evansville, as a secretary.  It was during her employment here that she met the love of her life and soul mate, Leonard Hirsch. They were married in November of 1955.  In 1959 Leonard and Donna with three year old Tom in tow, purchased a dairy farm in the northeastern part of Hardin Co., Ill. and moved in.  Determined to be a success Leonard and Donna were the first in the area to use artificial insemination from proven Holstein bulls to improve the herd.  As the herd developed they started naming the calves they kept after their female relatives and friends.  No stranger to hard work, Donna was first a homemaker, but preferred to be outside.  Should would help with the milking of the dairy cows.  She could run farm machinery, fix fence, help take care of the garden, can the produce, and make her own clothes.  She loved to raise baby chickens in the spring.  Donna has been employed as a teachers aide, a secretary for the U.S. Forest Service, she worked sixteen years as a warehouse clerk for the Peabody Coal Company where she managed accounts totaling several million dollars.  After retiring form Peabody Donna decided she needed something to do.  She found employment at San Damiano Catholic Shrine where she registered guests and worked in the gift shop.  Later in life she also worked at the Rose Hotel at Elizabethtown in the same capacity.  Donna was involved in Vacation Bible School, P.T.A., 4-H, C.Y.O., the St. Ann’s Altar Society, and was a long time member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.  Having four sons, no telling how many ham and bean dinners, chili suppers, bake sales, and rummage sale fundraisers she attended.  Donna was an excellent cook.  She received great admiration for he homemade bread.  Family members recall her homemade ice cream made from fresh eggs and milk from the farm.  Her son’s favorite Sunday meal was homemade bread, fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy, corn on the cob, green beans with bacon and onion, a big glass of sweet tea and last but not least a big slice of strawberry pie.  It definitely was a slice of heaven!  An avid reader, Donna was interested in genealogy, gardening, horsemanship, raising livestock, Collie dogs, and flowering gardens.  Donna felt that winters lasted to long.  She would absolutely devour the spring garden catalogs that arrived in the mail.  She also enjoyed taking pictures of landscapes and or anything pretty or unusual that caught her eye.  She also liked to travel, having been out west to see the Grand Canyon and the Giant Redwood trees.  She as been to Texas at the Alamo, Niagara Falls, Nova Scotia, and Florida several times family and friends.  Once she and Leonard were lucky enough to visit Egypt.  Her pride and joy were her four sons, their spouses, and her grandchildren, and her great grandchild.  She always encouraged them to be the best person they could be and to do their best.  Donna was a gentle soul with a quick wit and a big heart.  During her life she was a daughter, a sister, a wife, and aunt, a co-worker and a friend.  She will be missed by those who loved and knew her!   In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in memory of Donna to: Golden Circle Senior Nutrition, Hospice of Southern Illinois, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or the Make A Wish Foundation.  Envelopes will be provided at the funeral home.  Visitation for Donna will be held on Saturday, March 12, 2016 from 2 p.m. until memorial service time of 5 p.m. at the Vickery Funeral Chapel in Shawneetown.  Memorial services will be conducted by her nephews, Rev. Ron Johnson and John Johnson.  Visitation will continue on Monday, March 14, 2016 from 10 a.m. until Mass time of 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Elizabethtown with Father Abraham Adejoh officiating.   Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery.