Donna June Sloan of Milan, Missouri passed away December 2, 2020, at the age of 85. She was born August 29, 1935, to Glennie and Effie (Brown) Cochran. She was the youngest of seven children and enjoyed growing up on the family farm. She graduated from Milan High School in 1953 and attended what is now Truman State University for three years.
On September 24, 1955, Donna married Terence Boyd Sloan in Milan, Missouri. They lived in various towns in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri during the first few years of their marriage as Terence worked in construction. They returned to Milan in 1957 where they remained lifelong residents. They worked together to remodel the family home in which they raised their four children: Mark Robert, Sandra Kay, Sherri Ann and Kevin Cochran. Donna always said that her greatest desire was to be a mother. She took great pride in her children and their families and managing their home. Donna and Terence celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary September 24, 2020.
Donna worked a variety of jobs including Director at the Sullivan County Memorial Library from 1980 to 1997. She enjoyed working with the public and promoting reading to children.
Donna enjoyed gardening and food preservation, reading, cooking, playing bridge and traveling. Every Christmas the family looked forward to the elaborate array of treats that Donna would bake.
Donna and Terence were members of the Sullivan County Country Club and had a lifetime of fun golfing together. Donna often played in golf tournaments and sunk a hole in one at the Brookfield Country Club in 1994. Donna and Terence were proponents of retiring early to spend time doing what one enjoys. They spent many post-retirement years traveling throughout the country visiting local attractions and golfing at every opportunity. She had visited all but two of the 50 states.
She was a member of the United Methodist Church and Chapter X PEO.
Donna and Terence shared a room as residents of The Pines in Kirksville, MO, for the past few years. They remained devoted to each other from their first date in their junior year of high school.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her siblings: Kenneth and wife Betty; Victor and wife Betty; Carl and wife Norma Fae; Lois; Harold; and, Evelyn and husband Johnnie.
Donna is survived by her husband Terence and their children: Mark Sloan and wife Peggy of Milan, Missouri; Sandra Sloan and husband Craig Adams of Bremerton, Washington; Sherri White and husband Brad of Milan, Missouri; and, Kevin Sloan and wife Tracy of Gladstone, Missouri. Survivors also include grandsons: Matthew Sharp and wife Andrea of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and, Mason Sloan of Gladstone, Missouri; step-grandsons: Greg Hedges and wife Christine of Browning, Missouri; Derick White of Temple, Texas; and, Colton White of Warrensburg, Missouri; great grandchildren: Bryson Sharp; Jeremiah Sharp and wife Katie; Abigail Sharp; and, Josiah Sharp; step-great grandchildren: Zane and Cohen Hedges; and, great great granddaughter Harper Sharp of Guthrie, Oklahoma. Survivors also include: brothers-in-law Tony Sloan and wife Marie; Tom Sloan and wife Krista; sisters-in-law: Susan Tate and husband Mike; and, Pauline Cochran; and, many nieces and nephews.
A celebration of her life is scheduled for Sunday, December 6, from 1:00PM to 3:00PM at Schoene- Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Private interment will occur at Asbury Cemetery at a later date. Donations are suggested to be made to the Sullivan County Country Club.