Donna Jean (Mcginnis) French

Donna Jean (McGinnis) French, of Lanark, IL, formerly of Thomson, IL, passed away Thursday, November 23, at Select Specialty Hospital in Davenport, IA. A celebration of Donna’s life will be held from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Majestic Pines Saturday, December 2.

Donna was born August 12, 1949, daughter of Paul and Corabelle (Hamm) McGinnis. She grew up in Thomson, working at the McGinnis Melon Market, which her parents owned and operated. Donna attended Thomson High School and graduated with the class of 1968. After high school, Donna met Larry Lufkin and together had their daughter, Tori. In March 1975, Donna married Len Updike and gained two children; Mark and Brenda, which Donna loved and raised as her own. Together Donna and Len had their daughter, Aime. Donna ran the Water Melon Cafe, right next to the Melon Market for a number of years. Later in life, Donna married Richard French in 1996. They celebrated seven years of marriage until Richard’s passing in 2003. In 2004, Donna met her significant other Edwin Gollmer whom she shared her life with until her passing.

Operating the Water Melon Cafe, Donna became a great cook. She especially made great potato salad, and would often get requests for weddings and parties. In her spare time she liked to play cards but most of all she enjoyed spending time with friends and family.

If you knew Donna, you loved her. She was a jokester, and always the life of the party. If you walked into a room and a group of people were laughing, Donna was in the center. She was also a strong mom and a tough lady. She showed love by taking care of people, and was a second mom to many. Her door was always open, and no one left without feeling loved. Donna loved people, and held her family at the center of her heart.

Donna will be dearly missed by her three children, Tori Schoenhaar of Savanna, IL, Aime Heldt of Lanark, and Mark (Monica) Updike of Thomson; four grandchildren, Ericka (Brad) Milka of Greenville, WI, Megan Schoenhaar of Savanna, Monica (Austin) Borota of Lanark, and Dustin Heldt of Lanark; seven great grandchildren, Bronson Milka, Renley Milka, Lane Windett, Adilynn Windett, Corabelle Borota, Deacon Borota, and Bhodie Borota; her significant other, Edwin Gollmer of Lanark; and four siblings, JaneAnn (Don) Groharing of Thomson, Larry (Deborah) McGinnis of Thomson, Randy McGinnis of Galva, IL, and Cindy Schleuning of Freeport, IL. Donna is preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Corabelle; her brother, Paul Jr; And her husband, Richard along with her daughter Brenda Kay.