Lawrence Donna

Larry Donna, passed away peacefully on December 22, 2015, surrounded by his family who loved him deeply. He was 99 years old and lived every day to the fullest. Larry was born in Maryville, Illinois and was the fifth youngest child of Lawrence and Angeline Donna. He married the love of his life, Dorothy on June 20, 1937. Larry lived most of his life in Collinsville, Illinois where he and wife Dorothy raised their two children.

He was deeply devoted to his wife Dorothy until her passing in 2002. Larry then moved to Kansas City to be near his family where he lived his last 12 years enjoying life in his lovely retirement community. Larry enjoyed ice skating, singing, watching the St. Louis Cardinals, and basking in the sunshine. He had a great appreciation for and interest in the English language. If he wasn’t working on a crossword puzzle, he was making one himself! He had equal mathematical aptitude and added numbers in his head with great speed. He also prided himself on being able to recite all the U.S. states and capitals in a minute flat!

Affable and easygoing, Larry delighted in Broadway show tunes and was known to begin singing one whenever the mood struck him. Perhaps his loveliest quality, though, is that he accepted people as they are and didn’t try to change them.

Larry was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy, his parents, his two brothers and two sisters. He is survived by his son, Gerald (Janice) Donna of Kansas City, MO; his daughter, Bobbette (Gerry) Helmich of Scottsdale, AZ; his grandchildren: Portland Helmich of Concorde, MA; Wade Helmich of Seattle, WA; Marlo (John) Oswald of Kansas City, MO; Mindy (Jason) Wetmore of Leawood, KS and his great-grandchildren; Meredith and George Oswald and Hudson and Davis Wetmore.

The family wishes to thank the staff of Kingswood Manor and Crossroads Hospice for their compassionate care during Larry’s final weeks. Visitation will be held Saturday, December 26th, from 11:00 a.m., to 1:00 p.m., at McGilley State Line Chapel. Burial in Friedens Cemetery, Troy, IL, Monday, December 28th, 1:00 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Crossroads Hospice, 14310 East 42nd Street South, Unit 600, Market Place Shopping Center, Independence, MO 64055.