Donna M. Wheelock

Donna M. Wheelock

of Lakeland, Florida and formerly of Windham, PA

Donna M. Wheelock, a beacon of love and faith, passed away peacefully on March 29, 2024, at the age of 91, in Lakeland, Florida. Born on August 29, 1932, in Sayre, Pennsylvania, Donna's life was a tapestry of cherished memories, friendships and enduring faith.

Donna's journey began in the valley where she carried the pride of her hometown with her throughout her life, graduating from Athens High School. Donna's early loss of her first husband, Hugh H. Hover, in 1979, and later her husband Meredith S. Wheelock, were chapters of her story that she navigated with grace and resilience.

Donna was the loving matriarch of a large and blended family. She leaves behind a legacy through her son and daughter-in-law, Stephen and Wendy Hover, with whom she shared her final years, her son Mark Hover, and her daughter and son-in-law, Vicki and James "Dean" McNamara. Donna was also the cherished stepmother to Shelby Wheelock and DuWayne and his wife Peggy Wheelock. Her brother-in-law, John Talada, along with 11 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, and several great-great-grandchildren, will hold Donna's memory in their hearts. She was the last leaf on the tree of her generation, predeceased by her siblings Louis Tennart, Ronald Bennett, Stella Jones, and Edith "Ginger" Talada; and step daughter Marsha Wheelock.

Many will remember Donna for her warm smile and kind words as a deli clerk and cashier at Grand Union, where she brightened the days of countless customers and colleagues.

Donna's life was a testament to her faith. She was a devout reader of her Bible and devotionals, finding solace and strength in the scriptures. Donna's love for the word of God was matched by her enjoyment of a good game of Scrabble or the challenge of a complex puzzle. She attended Lake Gibson Church with her son Steve and daughter-in-law Wendy, where she found strength and comfort from the congregation.

Those who knew Donna will remember her as a woman of faith and love. She was a woman who lived by the words of the well-known hymn, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me." Her life was indeed a testament to the grace she believed in so fervently.

In her passing, Donna leaves behind a legacy of love and faith that will continue to inspire and guide her family and all who knew her. She was a woman who lived fully, loved deeply, and left a mark on the world that will not soon be forgotten. Her spirit, characterized by love and faith, will continue to shine brightly in the memories of those she touched.

Abiding with Donna’s wishes, there will be no services. Her wish would be for you to do a kind deed or visit a friend. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, 1 Billy Graham Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28201 in loving memory of Donna M. Wheelock. Memories and condolences may be shared by visiting her guestbook at www.sutfinfuneralchapel.com

Donna's story is one of a life well-lived and a journey completed with the knowledge that she was dearly loved and will be deeply missed. As her family and friends bid her farewell, they take comfort in the knowledge that her spirit will live on through the lives she has shaped and the love she has given.