Donna Jean Simmons (née Snyder), 74, of Perry, Ohio (formerly Smithville, OH) passed away peacefully at home on the morning of August 23rd, 2023, comfortably surrounded in love and prayers by her family and her caregivers.

Donna was born on October 9th, 1948, to Edwin and Faith (née Berry) Snyder.  She grew up on the family farm in Marshallville, OH, with her 3 brothers.  Donna graduated from Smithville High School in 1967 and furthered her education in the Massillon City Hospital Nursing program, from which she graduated as a Registered Nurse in 1970.

Her humble roots and Christian faith lead Donna to a lifetime of service through her profession, participation in her church and community, and devotion to her family.  Her nursing career spanned from emergency and operating rooms, coronary and critical care units, to OBGYN and pediatrics practices in Cleveland, Wooster, Madison, and Mentor, OH.  Donna was blessed with a beautiful voice, and gladly used her talent in the church choir and at many special events.  She dedicated time to those in need by providing meals, transportation, and letters and cards of encouragement.  For over 25 years, she and her husband lead the AWANA kids’ program at their church, and she utilized her nursing skills on several medical mission trips to locations in Africa and Eastern Europe.

Donna loved family, and immensely enjoyed traveling this world with them, whether fishing in Canada, snorkeling in Hawaii, exploring Alaska, or enjoying coffee in Paris, and pasta in Rome – she never hesitated to travel to spend time with the ones she loved.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and her husband James W. Simmons Sr and is survived by her children James (Kathy) Simmons Jr, Heather (John) Veller, Christopher (Vanessa) Meredith, grandchildren Joseph and Isabella Russo and Willow Meredith, and brothers Allen (Janet) Snyder, Gerald (Donna) Snyder and William (Phyllis) Snyder.

Donna’s life will be celebrated on Friday, September 8th at Calvary Fellowship Baptist Church, 757 Mentor Ave, Painesville, OH 44077. Family and friends may arrive to pay their respects and visit with the family between 10 am – 12 pm. Funeral service will follow at 12 pm, with burial at Perry Cemetery following the service.

Contributions may be made in Donna’s name to St. Croix Hospice of Rockford, IL and the Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease Foundation, Akron, OH.

Behm Family Funeral Home of Madison is assisting the family at this time. Online obituary and condolences may be viewed at www.behmfuneral.com