Donna Jane Springer

Donna Jane Springer passed away Saturday, January 18, 2025, at Tipton Oak Manor, one day after celebrating her 96th birthday.

She was born January 17, 1929, in Bunceton, Missouri, a daughter of Elmer "Clayton" and Virginia Lee "Jane" (Rowles) Eichelberger. Donna attended grade school in Bunceton and later graduated from Tipton High School.

On July 2, 1949, she was united in marriage to Merlyn Dean Springer, who preceded her in death on April 2, 2019, exactly three months shy of their 70th wedding anniversary.

Donna was a member of First Christian Church, a charter member of the Tipton Country Club, and an active member of the Central Missouri Campers Club for many years. She was athletic as a child, playing baseball, volleyball, and tennis, and in later years coached girls' Little League, played golf, and bowled. In her early teens, she wrote a letter to a fairly new girls' traveling softball team for a tryout but never got a response.

Donna had a lifelong passion for growing things. She and Merlyn planted two gardens for many years-one behind the house and one at the Springer farm-while both worked full-time jobs. Donna often boasted at the dinner table how much came from the garden and how little came from the grocery store. That might have contributed to their longevity.

Donna worked at Tipton Manufacturing before the girls were born and again when they were older. Her last employment was at Commerce Bank. After retirement, she and Merlyn started doing woodcrafts. Merlyn did the sawing and sanding, and Donna did the painting. They enjoyed several years of traveling around to craft shows and selling their works of art.

She is survived by her two daughters: Debra Gay Stonner (Cary) and Lana Jo Kuttenkuler (Bill), both of Tipton; four grandchildren: Ryan Kuttenkuler, Kara Aberle (Greg), Kyler Kuttenkuler (Kassity), and Sydney McGregor (David); ten great-grandchildren: Noah, Parker, and Madison Kuttenkuler; Logan and Evan Brown; Cameron Aberle; Oliver, Owen, and Oaklynn Kuttenkuler; and Adeline McGregor; one brother-in-law, Jerry Springer of Salisbury; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by her sister, Marilee Bookout, and her husband, Charles; and her niece, Cheri Bookout.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 22, 2025, at Meisenheimer-Page-Dady Funeral Home in Tipton, with burial to follow at the Tipton Masonic Cemetery. Visitation will take place from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service at the funeral home.

Pallbearers will be Ryan Kuttenkuler, Noah Kuttenkuler, Parker Kuttenkuler, Logan Brown, Evan Brown, and Cameron Aberle.

Memorial contributions are suggested to the First Christian Church of Tipton or the Tipton Nutrition Center.