Submitted by: Dan Rich

Donna Claire Dickey

Nov. 25, 1928 - April 2, 2008

South Bend Tribune 4/4/2008
GRANGER - Donna Claire Dickey, 79, residing in Granger, IN, passed away peacefully at 2:15 p.m. Wednesday, April 2, 2008, at Southfield Village, South Bend, IN, surrounded by her loving family. She was born November 25, 1928, in Terre Haute, Indiana to Ora Frank and Clara Mundell (Hunter) Crooks, and grew-up in the Michigan City area for more than 20 years.

On March 20, 1954, in Michigan City, IN, as Donna Crooks, she was united in marriage to John B. Dickey. They moved to Palatine, IL, where they resided for more than 30 years, before moving to Granger 15 years ago. Mrs. Dickey is survived by her loving husband, John of 54 years; along with her daughter and son-in-law, Nancy A. and Rev. Patrick Somers of South Bend; and her son, John W. Dickey of Granger. Also surviving are two sisters, Margaret Rose Pliske of Littleton, CO, and Mary Beth Abbene of Chicago, IL; and a brother and his wife, Harry Frank and Lou Jean Crooks of Peoria, AZ. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, and aunt. She was preceded in death by her parents; and a sister, Kathleen Givens Bagby. Mrs. Dickey attended Indiana University, and was Vice-President of Marsh Reed Corp. She attended Evangel Heights United Methodist Church, South Bend, was a former member of Rainbow Girls, and volunteered for more than 20 years at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, IL. She loved animals and was an avid gardener.

Services celebrating the life of Donna Dickey will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, April 5, in Evangel Heights United Methodist Church, 114 North Ironwood Drive, South Bend. Rev. Patrick Somers, and Chaplain Deb Hewitt will officiate. The family will receive friends from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at the church. Graveside services will be at 2:15 p.m. Saturday at Pine Lake Cemetery, LaPorte, IN. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Dickey may be offered to the Humane Society of St. Joseph County, 2506 North Grape Road, Mishawaka, IN 46545. Palmer Funeral Home-River Park is handling arrangements.