MaDonna "Donna" Mercedes (Baltzell) Gough

MaDonna “Donna” Mercedes Gough, 89, of Roanoke, IL, passed away at 4:30 pm on Monday, May 29, 2023, at the Apostolic Christian Home of Roanoke.

She was born on July 29, 1933, in El Dorado, Kansas, to William Henry and Athol Louisa (Pike) Baltzell. She married Joseph B. Gough on April 11, 1953 at the Base Chapel at Hamilton Air Force Base in California. He passed away on October 23, 2015.

Surviving are her three daughters, Lynda (William) Coffey of Indiana, Patricia Peterman of Florida, and Melanie (Gerald) Waldschmidt of Illinois; nine grandchildren; fifteen great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild. She was preceded in death by her parents and son, Phillip Gough.

Donna was a clerk stenographer for Hamilton AFB from 1951 until 1953. She was very proud of her family and loved each one, from her four children, nine grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren, and one great-great grandchild (with two more on the way). Visiting with her family and having them all around, was her greatest joy. She loved being with people and was always ready to host a get-together for family, friends, and neighbors.

She loved her "gal pals" and spent many years enjoying luncheons with her "Red Hat" friends. She was very creative and could sew, knit, crochet, and paint as well as several other crafts. She was also an excellent cook and everyone loved her cooking. Donna was of the Catholic faith.

Donna and her husband, Joe, loved traveling and visited almost every state. They loved visiting family. She also loved racing. For 30 years she and Joe traveled to the Indy 500, Brickyard 400, Talladega, Daytona, and Michigan. She looked forward to our annual gathering to attend the Indy 500 every year.

Donna lived life well, and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed by having her in their lives.

Cremation rites have been accorded. Burial of Ashes will be held at a later date in Resurrection Mausoleum in Peoria, IL. Online condolences at www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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