PEKIN ~ Donna Jean Bearden, 68, of Pekin, passed away at 5:12 p.m. Wednesday, December 15, 2021 at Hopedale Medical Complex in Hopedale.

Born April 27, 1953 in Pekin to George Lee and Rosalie M. (Milby) Fahnders, she married Daniel G. Bearden on October 2, 1976 in Pekin. He died December 16, 2013 in Peoria. She was also preceded in death by her parents.

Surviving are one son, Tim Bearden of Kansas City, Missouri; one daughter, Tracie Bearden of Northern California; one grandchild, Connor Bearden of Kansas City, Missouri and one brother, Donald Fahnders of Pekin.

Donna worked as a Nurse for 34 years in various fields including: Pekin Hospital, Pekin High as a school nurse and at Lifeway Rehabilitation Center. Later in life she worked as an aid at Pekin Public Schools District 108.

She was first a member of the Normandale Reformed Church in Pekin and later a member of the Second Reformed Church in Pekin.

Donna’s passions in life were politics, campaigning, and her career. She also enjoyed bird watching and gardening. Earlier in her life she was a champion baton twirler and enjoyed horseback riding.

Her private memorial service will be at Normandale Reformed Church in Pekin. Cremation has been accorded by Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin.

Memorials may be made to the family to defray medical expenses.

To express condolences online, visit www.preston-hanley.com.