Obituary of Donna Thomas

Donna J. Thomas (nee Van Slyke) Age 81. Loving wife and mother, passed away at Provena St. Joseph Medical Center at 1:35 a.m. on Wednesday, January 26, 2011 with her family at her side following complications from COPD and Congestive Heart Failure. Preceded in death by parents, Earl Van Slyke Sr. and Sarah Van Slyke (Comiskey). Step father Harry Humphrey Sr. and brother Earl Van Slyke Jr. Her husband, James W. Thomas (July 2010); infant son, Robert E. Thomas (1967) and her granddaughter, Sarah Marie Thomas (2009). Survived by her son, William Thomas, and his wife Karen (Milosevich), and their son Christopher all of Joliet; one daughter, Barbara J. (Thomas) Gans, her husband David, their daughter Kayla and sons David "D.J." and Kyle all of Orlando, FL Donna attended Farragut Grade School and St. Francis Academy of Joliet; two years at the College of St. Francis, Joliet and two years at the St. Francis Hospital of Peoria, Illinois where she obtained her BS and MT (ASCP); two years at Northwestern University Hospital, Chicago, Illinois where she obtained her RT. Donna and James were married on March 31, 1951 at the Cathedral of St. Raymond Nonnatus, Joliet by Fr. O'Keefe. Donna was employed by Associated Radiologists in Joliet. Special thanks to her friends and caregivers Kazuko Callahan and Peggy Karstens. Also to the Joliet Area Community Hospice and Drs. Kristopher McDonough and William Woodward for their care and comfort in her final days. Cremation Rites have been accorded. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations in memory of Donna Thomas to Joliet Area Community Hospice, 250 Water Stone Circle, Joliet, IL 60431 Family will receive friends and relatives on Saturday January 29, 2011 from 12 Noon until the Memorial Service begins at 3 p.m. at: FRED C. DAMES FUNERAL HOME 3200 Black at Essington Rds., Joliet For Information: 741-5500