Donna S. (nee Earnest) Nelson, age 66, of Troy, Illinois died August 17, 2010 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, MO. She was the wife of Paul E. Nelson of Troy, IL. Donna was born in Newton, Illinois on October 14, 1943.

Donna was a devoted wife and mother. She was an Elementary School Teacher with the Collinsville School District. Donna was a member of the Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, Illinois; graduate of Eastern Illinois University, Class of 1965; a 25 year volunteer and two time past president of the Anderson Hospital Auxiliary, and member of United Methodist Women.
Donna was a life time servant to her church, and volunteer for many school and community activities.

Donna was preceded in death by a son, Mark A. Nelson and her parents, Victor and Lois (nee Kennedy) Earnest.

She is survived by her husband, Paul E. Nelson of Troy, IL.; son, Craig A. (Judy) Nelson of Collinsville, IL.; grandchildren, Ryan and Ethan Nelson of Collinsville, IL.; brother, Larry (Patty) Earnest of Newton, IL.; sister, Carolyn (Robert) Guilander of Collinsville, IL.; mother-in-law, Mary Nelson of Troy, IL; brother-in-law, Lloyd (Sharon) Nelson of St. Louis, MO.; nieces and nephews, David, Brad, Pam. Deborah and Diane, and nine (9) great nieces and nephews.

Memorials may be made to Mark Alan Nelson Cancer Research Fund, Barnes-Jewish Hospital Foundation, Mailstop 84-84-100, 1001 Highlands Plaza Drive West, Suite 140, St. Louis, MO. 63110 or to Troy United Methodist Church.

Visitation will be Friday, August 20, 2010 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Richeson Funeral Home, Troy, IL. and 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday, August 21, 2010 at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, IL.

Funeral services will be Saturday, August 21, 2010 at 11 a.m. at Troy United Methodist Church, Troy, IL with the Rev. Dennis Price officiating.          Interment will be at Sunset Hill Cemetery, Glen Carbon, IL.

Richeson Funeral Home
Troy, Illinois