September 4, 1935 – October 13, 2026
Mary Ann Donsbach, 91, of Newton, Illinois, passed away at 1:53 AM on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Helia Healthcare in Newton, Illinois.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Monday, October 19, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton, Illinois. Burial will be in the St. Aloysius Cemetery in Bishop Creek, Illinois (Rural Dieterich). A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4:00 to 6:00 PM on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The rosary will be prayed at 10:30 AM on Monday, prior to mass. In loving memory of Mary Ann, memorials may be made to the St. Thomas Catholic Church or St. Thomas Catholic School. Arrangements are under the care of the Meyer Funeral Home in Newton, Illinois. The obituary can be viewed and condolences left at www.meyerfh.com.
Mary Ann’s life began on September 4, 1935, in Effingham, Illinois. She was born the daughter of Lawrence and Clara (Beckman) Goeckner. Her journey into motherhood began with the birth of her daughter Debbie, followed by Vicki, Lori, and Sandra. Together, her four daughters became an important part of a life centered on two things that meant so much to Mary Ann: faith and family. No one knew Mary Ann quite like her four daughters, and it is through their loving memories that her story continues.
When we think about Mom, we think about a strong, independent woman who lived life in her own way. She had a strength about her that we always admired, and she carried that strength throughout her life.
Mom’s Catholic faith was an important part of her life. She was an active member of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Newton. It was more than simply belonging to a church; it was a commitment she carried with her and expressed through her participation in church activities and her involvement in her faith community. Her faith was a part of who she was, just as much as her independence, her determination, and her devotion to her family.
She made time for her faith and for the church community that was important to her. It was one of the foundations of her life, something she held close and continued to be involved in. Her dedication to helping others with the St. Thomas Angels and praying with the Rosary Group were so very important to her. Her faith was part of the woman we knew, and it was another reflection of her commitment to the things that mattered to her.
As we remember Mom, we remember not only her strength and her strong will, but also this important part of her life. Her faith was woven into the story of who she was, alongside her love for her family, the traditions she created, and the many ways she made a difference in the lives of those around her.
Mom made many lifelong friends from both co-workers and customers during her career at the Peoples State Bank in Newton.
Mom loved the holidays, and she never missed an opportunity to decorate for them. She made each holiday feel special, and her home was the place where our family gathered for dinners, celebrations, and time together. Those family dinners were about more than just sharing a meal. They were about being together, catching up, laughing, and staying connected as a family. Those are the memories we will carry with us.
One of the things we admired most about Mom was the way she loved her 9 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. She didn’t just want to hear about their lives; she wanted to be a part of them.
When the grandchildren were little, she willingly gave her time to babysit, help with their activities, and get them where they needed to be. As they grew older, she continued to show up whenever she could. Whether it was a sporting event, a special occasion, or an important milestone, she wanted to be there to share it with them.
They could count on seeing her encouraging smile, hearing her laughter, and knowing she was cheering them on. She took pride in their accomplishments and wanted to be part of the moments that mattered to them. That love continued into the next generation, with her great-grandchildren having the opportunity to experience that same love and attention.
When we look back, we realize that so much of what Mom gave our family wasn’t measured in grand gestures. It was in the time she gave, the traditions she kept, the home she opened to us and even our friends, and the way she continued to show up for the people she loved.
But the things she gave us don’t end here. They live on in the traditions we continue, in the memories we share, in the family she helped keep connected, and in the strength and love she passed down through the generations that we will always carry with us.
Mary Ann will be deeply missed by her four daughters, Debbie (Karl) Bowermaster of Hartford, Illinois; Vicki (Mike) Mullen of Newton, Illinois; Lori (Travis) Fagen of Springtown, Texas and Sandra (Mike) Birch of Newton, Illinois.
She also leaves behind nine grandchildren, Jeremy Reich, Taylor (Laura) Reich, Ashley (Jimmy) Fogarty, Jamie Downer, Cole (Meg) Fagen, Drew Fagen, Taryn (Torrey) Wolf, Mitchell Birch and Claire (Alex) Creech; and eleven great-grandchildren Carder, Audrie, Jorjia, Owen, Norah, Beckett, Harper, Lucas, Elise, Rylee and Hunter.
Mary Ann is survived by her siblings, Raymond (Roseann) Goeckner of Teutopolis, Illinois; Steve (Andrea) Goeckner of Dieterich, Illinois; Norma Hoelscher of Teutopolis, Illinois; Rosemary (Butch) Hoelscher of Teutopolis, Illinois
Preceding Mary Ann in death were her parents, brother Alfred Goeckner; sister Francis Beals; and infant sister Alice Goeckner.
