Jeanette “Jeannie” Donnell

February 7, 1941 –September 3, 2026

Jeanette “Jeannie” Donnell, 85, passed away peacefully at Harmony of Elkhart after a long journey with dementia.

She was born on February 7, 1941, in Elkhart to Lawrence Leist and Evangel (Leist) Hayes. On November 21, 1959, she married Thomas (Tom) Snyder, with whom she shared many years of family and love until his untimely passing on August 26, 1981. On July 18, 1984, she married James (Jim) Donnell, and together they built a beautiful life and home, sharing more than four decades of devotion and companionship.

Jeannie graduated from Elkhart High School, where she proudly marched as one of the few female drummers in the band. She often shared stories of those years and remained deeply proud of that accomplishment throughout her life.

She spent many years working in the front office of several dental practices, known for her reliability, kindness, and steady presence with both patients and staff. Outside of work, she enjoyed shopping and traveling with Jim, visiting Ireland, Hawaii, Alaska, and the Caribbean.

She was preceded in death by her first husband, Tom Snyder; her daughter, Lynn Snyder; her grandson, Ben Snyder; her parents, Lawrence Leist and Evangel Hayes; and her sister, Pat Lantzer.

She is survived by her husband of 42 years, Jim Donnell; her daughter, Tami (Snyder) Bolin; her stepchildren, Cindy Jeffares (Larry), Jim Donnell (Carol Gammon), and John Donnell; her half‑brother, Mike Leist (Blanche); and eight grandchildren: Lindsay Bolin, Lucas Bolin (Tara), Taylor Hourigan (Chris), Corrie Bolin (Nick), Casey Donnell (Mackenzie), Caleb Donnell (Carley), Andy Jeffares (Morgan), and Jason Jeffares. She is also survived by her great‑grandchildren: Emerson, Harper, Kai, Christopher, Arianna, Henry, Sawyer, Sailor, Slater, Conner, Corbin, and Carson.

Her life was marked by devotion to family, quiet strength, and the simple joys she shared with those she loved.

The family would like to express their heartfelt gratitude to all who cared for Jeannie throughout her journey. This includes the administration and staff at Harmony of Elkhart, the ER nurses and physicians, and the nurses, aides, case managers, and physicians at Elkhart General. We are deeply grateful to the Center for Hospice team for stepping in on very short notice and helping us navigate each step with clarity and comfort. Most of all, we wish to acknowledge Sarah, the nurse who tenderly cared for Jeannie and guided our family with extraordinary compassion. She is, truly, an angel on earth.

Donations may be made in Jeannie’s name to St. Vincent Catholic Church or to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 9, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, IN with a recitation of the rosary at 6:30 p.m. Mass will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2026, at 11 a.m. at St. Vincent Catholic Church, with visitation an hour prior from 10 to 11 a.m., located at 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart, IN 46516.