Donnia Chapman's Obituary
Donnia Sue Driskell Chapman (neé Dehart), age 84, of Pinckneyville, Illinois passed away on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, at Pinckneyville Community Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Donnia was born on December 20, 1939 in Oran, Missouri to Fred and Eunice Dehart. Donnia married Truman Driskell on September 12, 1958 and together they had three children and a wonderful union until Truman's passing on August 5, 1983.
Donnia married James "Jimmy" Chapman on July 28, 1990 and remained happily married until Jimmy's passing on March 3, 2011.
Donnia was a cook at Pinckneyville Jr. High for several years while her children were in school. She enjoyed chatting with the students as they went through the lunch line, and remembered many of them years later when she happened to run into them. Donnia left her position as a school cook in order to care for her husband, Truman, during his illness. After her husband passed away, Donnia went to school at Southern Illinois University Carbondale - School of Technical Careers where she was named to the Dean's List. She was a receptionist at the Family Medical Center in Pinckneyville for nearly thirty years where she enjoyed being able to help people through her work, and became lifelong friends with several of her co-workers.
More than anything though, Donnia enjoyed spending time with her family. Through the years she enjoyed family vacations when her children were young, traveling with Jimmy through the U.S. and Canada, and going on cruises with her sisters. From the comforts of her home, many happy hours were passed in conversation and laughter over meals, late-night cups of coffee, and spirited games of Scrabble. She rarely missed an opportunity to attend special events for her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and delighted in everyone gathering together during holidays. She will be remembered as the best Mom and Nanny that anyone could ever have. The memories she created with her family and friends will be treasured by all who knew and loved her.
Donnia is survived by two children: daughter, Cindy (Joe) Loos; son, Scott Driskell (Nancy Knope); and two step-sons, Dan (Carla) Chapman and David (Lindy) Chapman. Surviving are also 19 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren: Adam (Claire Hughes) Loos, Truman Loos & Frankie Kleinlein; Amber Burtis (granddaughter-in-law); Courtney (Erik) Jakobsen, Hunter Loos, Conor, Luka, & Eleanor Jakobsen; Erica Loos; Nathaniel Loos, Emmett; Cassandra Loos (granddaughter-in-law); Rebecca (Jake) Bolinski, Audrey & Jack; Rachel Loos; Victoria Loos; Nichole (Carlos) Askew, Kylie & Karissa; Jamie Driskell (fiancé Morgan Galbraith), Maverick & River Rose; Amy Knope, Alan, Hannah, & Chandler; Andrea (Donnie) Fosnock, Dylan (Lilly) Fosnock, Olivia; Christopher (Mariah) Fosnock, Zayden & Tobias; Donnie Fosnock; Brendon Fosnock; Josie Chapman, Alessi; Ellie Chapman, Krue; Jamie Chapman, Joshua Chapman; Marah (Shawn) Nagy, Ryder; Blake (Maddie) Chapman, Layla & Lainey; Luke Chapman; Parker Chapman; Briannah Torres. Also surviving are one brother-in-law, Benny Chapman; two sisters-in-law, Connie Moore and Sally Dolling; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Donnia was preceded in death by her first husband, Truman Driskell; her second husband, Jimmy Chapman; one son, Jeff Driskell; one stepson, Heath Chapman; her parents, thirteen brothers and sisters, and several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A funeral service will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL, on Saturday, September 28, 2024 at 11:00 a.m., with Reverend Jim Stark officiating.
Visitation will be held at Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL, on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Good Samaritan Ministries or The Little Resource Center, both located in Carbondale, IL.
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