Donna L. Beery

Donna Louise Hedge Beery, 95, of Woodsfield, Ohio, passed away Thursday, August 27, 2020, at The Arbors at Woodsfield.  Born October 30, 1924, in Canfield, Ohio, she was the daughter of the late James Clay and Marie (Kohr) Hedge, the youngest of six children.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband of 34 years, Neal C. Beery; her four brothers, John Franklyn Hedge of Worthington, Ohio; James N. Hedge of Canfield, Ohio; Glenn E. Hedge of Dublin, Ohio; infant brother Hugh Clay Hedge of Strasburg, Ohio; her sister Eileen Crouse Groves of Salem, Ohio; her brother-in-law Robert Pontious of Lancaster, Ohio; son in-law Dr. Henry Alan Ker of Woodsfield, Ohio; and grandson James Ker of Valporasio, Indiana.

Donna’s memory will forever be cherished by those who survive: her daughter Luann (Mark) Forni of Woodsfield, Ohio; sons Edward (Donna Jean) Beery of Windermere, Florida, and Ronald (Kimberly) Beery of Gahanna, Ohio;  grandchildren, Amanda Forni of New York City, New York; Jacob Forni of Tokyo, Japan; Joshua Forni and Kelly King of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland; Kenneth Beery of Franklin University, Columbus, Ohio; Garrett Beery of West Virginia University, Morgantown, West Virginia, and Timothy Ker of Virginia Beach, Virginia;  sisters-in-law, Shirley Hedge of Dublin, Ohio, and Bonnie (Beery) Pontious of Lancaster, Ohio;  along with numerous nieces, nephews, their children, grandchildren, and their extended families.

Donna was a graduate of Canfield High School, Canfield, Ohio, and attended Kent State University and the Columbus School of Business.  At the completion of her education, she became a professional bookkeeper for the Huntington National Bank and the Columbus Pharmaceutical Corporation.  Upon her marriage to Neal, Donna took a break from her professional career to raise her family and later returned as the bookkeeper for the Monroe County District Library until her retirement.

A devoted mother, grandmother, and homemaker, Donna was a very strong-willed and determined woman, who never gave up easily.  She enjoyed her faith, time with family and friends, and football (an avid Ohio State Football Fan).  She was extremely active in the local community throughout her life.  Donna was a life-long member of the Woodsfield Presbyterian Church where she served in numerous roles that included over 20 years as church treasurer, active member of the Presbyterian Women’s organization, and coordinator of the church’s card ministry. (She became known as the “Card Lady” by so many.)  Donna served the local community for over 30 years as the county’s treasurer of the American Heart Fund Association. She was active in the OSU Extension Service’s Homemaker’s program both at the local club and county committee level.  She assisted, along with other community members with establishing a local AARP chapter and was awarded their prestigious 2003 Andrus Award for volunteer community service.

One of the proudest achievements of her community involvement was her over 36 years as an American Red Cross volunteer at The Barnesville Hospital as part of their “Gray Lady” program.  Along with a variety of individuals from the Woodsfield and Monroe County area, the ladies would drive weekly (without fail) to volunteer friendly, personal services of a non-medical nature to the patients, while providing support assistance to hospital staff. 

Arrangements are being handled by Bauer-Turner Funeral Home, 100 South Paul Street, Woodsfield, Ohio.   A private service will be held with Rev. Susan Lehosky officiating.  Burial will follow at Oaklawn Cemetery Woodsfield. A public memorial celebration of her life will be held at a future date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name to the Woodsfield Presbyterian Church, 100 Cherry Alley, Woodsfield, Ohio 43793.  As a cancer survivor of over 30 years, contributions may also be made to the local Cancer Gas Card Program, 48397 Keylor Hill Road, Woodsfield, Ohio 43793, or to the charitable organization of your choice in her name.

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