Donna J. Winner

Donna J. Winner, 81, and a resident of Copeland Oaks Retirement Community in Sebring, Ohio was released from her earthly body and taken to Heaven on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at Crandall Medical Center on the Copeland campus. Her body was ravaged by Charcot Marie Tooth, an inherited, rare and incurable nerve deteriorating disease, and Alzheimer's disease in addition to other complicating health issues.

Donna was born in Dennison, Ohio on February 20, 1932 to Donald and Nellie Martin, who have preceded her to our eternal home. Also preceding her in this great transformation of life was her only sibling David W. Martin. Her family members who continue life on Earth are DeForest "Dee" Winner, her husband of over 58 years; her daughters Sonya (Jay) Valerio of metropolitan Cincinnati and Alysia (Daniel) Atkinson of Rochester, Illinois; grandchildren William Young, 17, also of metropolitan Cincinnati, Aimee Atkinson, 16, and Benjamin Atkinson, 9, also of Rochester Illinois and Maggie Valerio, 20, (Jay's daughter) also of the Cincinnati area; sister-in-law Beverly Martin of Laconia, New Hampshire; niece Cheryl (Thomas) Nickerson and their son Ryan of Concord, New Hampshire; nephew Robert Martin (Carol Smigo) of Boxborough, Massachusetts in addition to an aunt and several cousins mostly in the south of Tuscarawas County, Ohio.

Donna was a graduate of the former Midvale (Ohio) High School and Kent State University (Kent main campus) where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree in 1954. She also did postgraduate study at Bowling Green State University (Firelands Campus in Huron).



Donna met her husband Dee while a student at Kent. They were married in First United Methodist Church of New Philadelphia on June 12, 1955.

Donna was an elementary school teacher. While teaching she served as a volunteer in the ITA Government Reading Program for children, served on PTA boards and aided Public School Nurses in their programs.

She was a member of each United Methodist congregation her husband pastored over the years. She taught children's Sunday school classes as well as Vacation Bible School and served on local parish children's education committees. Donna was very active in the United Methodist Women and served several times as president and vice president as well as other UMW offices. She also took an active part in UMW circles. Donna was a member of literary clubs in the various communities where she lived. Her community service also included being a Blue Bird and a Brownie leader.


In retirement she and Dee lived two years in the Akron northwesterly suburban city of Fairlawn. These years were followed by over 14 wonderful years in Dover before moving to Copeland Oaks in 2006. While in Dover Donna was very active in First United Methodist church there. This included the UMW which she served as Vice President, Ruth Circle that she served as President, frequently gave the children's message in the Sunday celebration and was a vital participant in the Friendship Sunday School Class. She and Dee were active participants in the Tuscarawas County ecumenical T-4-C ministry that offered regular assistance to homebound people.


A Celebration of Unending Life honoring Donna will take place on Sunday, August 18 at 3:00 pm at the Bennett Chapel in the main Copeland Oaks building on Kearns Circle at 800 South 15th Street in Sebring. Private graveside services will be held at the Dover Burial Park. The Toland-Herzig Funeral Home and Crematory at Dover is handling arrangements. Those wishing to express their fondest memories of Donna may do so by visiting the on line obituaries and flowers link on the funeral homes website.


Donna was given much compassionate and loving care by all her Crandall Medical Center caregivers: nurse's aides, nurses, physicians, therapists, chaplain, dining room assistants, social service members and Hospice of the Valley in Mahoning County. She was richly blessed by God through them and her family is very-very thankful.


In lieu of flowers it is Donna's wish that gifts in her honor be given to Cystic Fibrosis Foundation at 6931 Arlington Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814 or the Oaks Foundation c/o Copeland Oaks, 800 South 15th Street, Sebring Ohio 44672.