Donna Rae Wessel, 81, Jasper

Donna Rae Wessel, 81, of Jasper, passed away Friday, December 8, 2023, at Memorial Hospital and Healthcare Center in Jasper.

She was born June 7, 1942, in Billett, Ill., to Raymond Claude Swarens and his wife Lena (Bogard) Swarens.

 As a young woman, Donna graduated from Bridgeport Township High School in 1960. She was a homemaker to her family, worked in sewing factories, and worked in the healthcare profession at many healthcare facilities. She was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Jasper, IN.

On July 31, 2009, Donna married Charles Wessel, who survives.

Along with her husband, she is survived by four children, Kim Smith and husband, Mike, Marty Winkles and wife, Anita, J.R. Winkles and girlfriend, Terri, and Michael Winkles and wife, Cheryl, all of St. Francisville, Ill.: one brother, Bill Swarens of Beecher, Ill.; seven grandchildren, Jordan Burrow, Reagan Winkles, Chelsea Winkles, Alecia Winkles, Justin Winkles, Jarrett Winkles, and Caleb Winkles; five great-grandchildren, Brayden Burrow, Hunter Burrow, Arya Vories, Faylee Darnell, Jacob Winkles; and one more on the way: several brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Raymond Claude Swarens and Lena Swarens; three brothers- Dan, Richard, and Jackie Swarens; three sisters- Shirley Hills, Pat Melcom, and Clara Koon; and one great-grandson- Dillon Perkins.

A visitation will be held from 9:00 am until 11:00 am CST on Friday, December 15, 2023, at the Cunningham Funeral Home in Bridgeport, IL. Funeral service will occur at the funeral home immediately after the visitation at 11:00 am. (CST) The burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Catholic Cemetery in St. Francisville, IL.

Memorial contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, St. Joseph Catholic Church, or Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) directly or through the funeral home.

Online condolences can be sent to the family at www.cunninghamfuneralhomes.com.