Mrs. Donna Jean (Kleitz) Wheeler, 70, of Elkhart, passed away peacefully at her home following an extended illness on Wednesday, January 26, 2022, surrounded by her family. She was born in South Bend on February 19, 1951 and was raised by her grandparents, the late William and Edna Huff, as well as her late aunts, Ruth Mansfield and Mary Hayes.

Surviving Donna are her children John R. Ellis of Elkhart and Robyn (Joe) Colassaco of Edwardsburg, as well as a host of loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, siblings, extended family and friends. She was married twice, both good men; but Roger Dale Ellis, whom she beguiled back in December of 1969, would become the father of her two children. Donna took on the duty of motherhood headlong, and her unrivaled devotion to her children served as a loving, rock-solid foundation for the upbringing of her grandchildren as well. After Roger's passing, she had a second chance at love and married Benny Wheeler in 1997. He remained at her side until his passing in 2016.

She graduated Elkhart Beauty College shortly after graduating Elkhart High School in 1969 and went on to own and operate her own salon for a number of years. Witty, willful, humorous and always edgy, Donna absolutely loved to make folks laugh without ever really looking like she was trying to be funny, which is quite an art. She always appeared like someone was on her last nerve, but in actuality, she was always planning something nice or special for someone, and just loved to interact with people.  If she did anything to leave a lasting legacy, she taught her army of grandchildren the art of donating money to the local gambling establishments and the use of certain phrases and words that would blush the saltiest of sailors. She was also a devout Grateful Dead "Deadhead".

Billings Funeral Home and Cremation Services of Elkhart has been assisting Donna's family with cremation arrangement. A memorial service will take place at Grace Lutheran Church on Saturday, February 19, 2022 at 2:00 pm with Sister Nora Frost officiating.

Friends and family wishing to make a monetary donation in Donna's memory may do so by sending your contribution to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN.

……just keep trucking on, Momma; Uncle John's Band is waiting for you!