Donna Jo Williams

Donna Jo Williams, 78, of Pekin, passed away at 4:21 pm, Sunday, December 5, 2021, at Holly Brook Assisted Living surrounded by family. She was born September 7, 1943, to Joseph Jr. & Helen Mangan in Springfield, MO. She married Thomas (Tom) Williams in July of 1965. Tom & Donna moved to Pekin, IL where Donna worked for Pekin High School for many years in the nurses office and the Dragons Den. After retirement, Donna volunteered at the Pekin Police Department for 12 years helping to file records among other duties. The department honored her by naming the records room, The Donna Williams Record Room. Donna was an avid sports fan and loved the Chicago Bears and St. Louis Cardinals. She enjoyed camping and boating along with playing FarmVille on Facebook. She was a beloved member of Pekin Moose Lodge 916 and Pekin Boat Club. Donna always introduced herself to everyone as "Granny Donna." She loved her family dearly and was beyond proud to be a grandma and great-grandma. She was a friend to everyone and never missed an opportunity to dance. She was a breast cancer survivor and put up a long, tough fight with lung cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband Tom; her parents and baby brother, Joseph Mangan III; and her beloved golden retriever, Jojo. She is survived by two daughters, Kimberly Beal of Pekin and Tonya (Tim) Cassidy of Bloomington; four grandchildren Sarah Beal, Lauren (Trever) Heide, Madison Cassidy, and Ryan Cassidy; one great-granddaughter Quinn Heide; one brother, James (Priscilla) Mangan of Pekin; and her cat, Miss Lily. Funeral services will be at 10:30 am, Friday, December 10, 2021, with Monsignor Tim Nolan officiating at Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory, 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin, IL. A visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm on Thursday, December 9, 2021, also at the funeral home. Burial will be in St. Joseph Cemetery in Pekin. Memorials may be made to T.A.P.S. or St. Joseph Church in Pekin. Funeral Service Friday, December 10, 2021 10:30 AM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554 Visitation Thursday, December 9, 2021 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Henderson Funeral Home & Crematory 2131 Velde Dr. Pekin,Illinois 61554