Donna J. Shirley

SHIRLEY, Donna Joan (Powell), 83, resident of Vandalia for 62 years, passed away Monday, June 5, 2023. She was born to Theodate & William Powell on April 25, 1940 in Cleveland, Ohio.

Donna moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1948 and graduated from Fairview High School in 1958. Later, she graduated from the Dayton School of Practical Nursing 21st class of 1959 and served as an LPN at Miami Valley Hospital and Dr. Kunnin, OB/GYN. Donna married Jack L. Shirley on June 17, 1961 and began working for Vandalia Playschool in 1968 and continued to teach Vandalia’s youngest students for 47 years until 2015.

She enjoyed traveling with her husband and family, visiting all 50 states, loved camping, sewing, gardening, crochet, euchre, BINGO, viewer of Y & R for 50 years, Wheel of Fortune, Jeopardy, puzzles and spider games on her ipad. Donna was treasurer for the Cassell Hills Swim Team Parents Club and member of the Butler Schools PTA, Butler Music Association treasurer, Vandalia Senior Center president and treasurer for the Vandalia Historical Society.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents, Theodate & William Powell, brother, Roger Powell, sister-in-law, Barbara Powell and her niece, Kelly Powell.

Survived by her spouse of 61 years, Jack Shirley; daughters, Laura Rohde and Jennifer Coffey (Shawn); granddaughters, Alyssa Mannix (Josh), Amanda Chahine (Chady), Heather Coffey, and Dominique Rohde (Ben); sister, Peggy Thaman (Mark); sister-in-law, Marianna Pennington, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family will receive friends 4-7 p.m. Friday, June 9, at the Morton & Whetstone Funeral Home, 139 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia, with the funeral service at 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10, at the Vandalia United Methodist Church, 200 S. Dixie Dr., Vandalia. Pastor Michael Malcosky, officiating. A private burial will follow. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Donna’s memory to the Vandalia Historical Society. Condolences can be shared at www.MortonWhetstoneFH.com.