Stanley Leo Donner

OBITUARY Stanley Leo Donner of Bland, Missouri passed away January 19, 2023 at the home of his daughter, Joette Blankenship in Sullivan, Missouri. Stanley was the son of Leo Joseph and Veronica Ida (Siess) Donner. He was born October 17,1935 in St. Clair, Missouri. He was married to Bertha Mae Slankard February 27,1954 in Richwoods, Missouri. To this union three children were born: Joette Marie, Diana Lynn, and Brian Keith Donner. He married Bette Marie Epling on September 9,1962 in Ada, Ohio. To this union two children were born: Steven Leo and Larry Gene Donner. Bette passed away May 8,1974 in Dola, Ohio. He married Jayne Marie (Schmitz) McKenzie on May 14,1976 in Hardin, Ohio. To this union is one child: Jennifer Ann Donner. Stanley enjoyed fishing, hunting, raising chicken and pigs, gardening, making wine and construction. As a young man, he worked mowing lawn, setting up pins in the bowling alley and on relative’s farms. He started working at different places such as International Shoes, Brown Shoe, and Purina Farms. In 1957. he went to California. He worked for a Gas and Electric Company digging ditches for service lines in yards. On his way back to Missouri, he had a temporary job in the gas fields of New Mexico. He was in the National Guard until 1961.He later made his way to Lima, Ohio where he met Bette. He was working for Lake Central Airlines in Lima, Ohio. After that he painted outside of houses with his father-in-law. Eli Epling. From there, he started his lifelong career of carpentry with Dick Crow in Dola, Ohio. After 5 years. he went into business for himself. He brought his family back to Missouri and started up Donner Construction. He struggled with dementia for over 5 years which was not only hard on him but on his family. He is survived by his children: Joette Blankenship of Sullivan, MO, Diana and husband Remington Moore of Mineral, Washington, Steven Donner of Bourbon, MO, Larry and wife Sheila Donner of Bourbon, MO and Jennifer and husband Darrell McKay of St. Louis, MO. He is survived by his partner Amelia Gaylord of Bland, MO. He is survived by his brothers: James and wife Gerry Donner of Union, MO, Vince and wife Maggie Donner of Belgium, Frank and wife Libby Donner of Easton, PA., Eugene and wife Margie Donner of Bourbon, MO. Robert and wife Pat of Shelbyville, TN. He is survived by 10 grandchildren, several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren. He will be missed by his nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. He is preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Marvin Leo Donner 08/13/2013, his sisters: Joan Lillian Carroll 03/29/2018, Leora Mae Arens 04/24/2019 and one son Brian Keith Donner 01/12/2016. He is preceded in death by his son-in-law, James "Andy” Blankenship 09/26/2021. He enjoyed the simple things in life. He enjoyed killing a squirrel, catching some fish, drinking homemade wine by the lake or his stone fireplace. Coffee in the morning on his front porch while he watched his chickens in the yard and his bees flying. He enjoyed visiting with his family and friends. His wishes are that you all have a good life like he did. He said he wouldn't have changed a thing because he had known you all. He wanted no visitation or funeral as he wants you to remember him as he was. He wants his ashes to be spread in the Meramec River that he enjoyed so much in his younger days. Cremation arrangements have taken place. A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date.

Stanley Leo Donner

October 17, 1935 - January 19, 2023