82, of Macomb and formerly of Meredosia
Donna Fern Bradley, 82, of Macomb and formerly of Meredosia died on Friday, May 29, 2026, at the Bickford of Macomb.
She was born on July 6, 1943, in Brown County, the daughter of Leon W. and Edith A. (Agans) Knight. She married Donald W. Bradley on November 12, 1960, in Meredosia and he preceded her in death on July 7, 2011.
She is survived by her sons, Don (Stephanie) Bradley, Jr. of Jacksonville and Douglas (Kellee Sullivan) Bradley of Macomb; seven grandchildren, Matt Crow of Camp Point, Christine (Michael) Schlieker and Corey Bradley of Jacksonville, Joel Bradley of Fort Walton Beach, Drew (Lydia) Bradley of Collinsville, Megan (Jordan) Thomann of Newton, and Caitlin Bruce of Decatur; fourteen great grandchildren, Carter and Mylee Crow, Collin, Evan, and Marley Schlieker, Aaron Holmes, Piper and Madison Bradley, Luke and Nora Bradley, Karleigh and Lainey Thomann, Bryce and Bennett Bruce; two sisters-in-law Judith (Robert) Farmer of Jacksonville and Marilyn Bradley of Winchester. She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, and sisters Evelyn Yager and Geraldine Wyatt.
Donna held a variety of jobs during her long and active life. She worked at Campbell’s Red and White grocery in Meredosia as well as Hazels when it came along. She served as the librarian for the Meredosia Public Library and was co-owner/operator of Knight’s Implement prior to moving on to work for Bader Ag. She served many years as a night call volunteer for the Women’s Crisis Hotline as well as serving as bookkeeper for the Meredosia Fire Department.
Donna was happiest when she was spoiling grandkids and great grandkids, but she dabbled in a little of everything throughout her life. She was a passionate traveler who visited all fifty states and England. She was also a gifted fabric artist who made many clothes and quilts over the years. She especially delighted in the making of honor quilts for US veterans. If it wasn’t fabrics she was working with, it was likely ceramics, which was another medium where she excelled.
Donna was a long-time member of the Meredosia United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday School for years and later the Naples United Methodist Church. She became a member of Faith Lutheran Church in Jacksonville in her later years.
A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 4, 2026, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Oakland Cemetery in Meredosia. The family will meet friends 10-11 a.m. prior to the service. Memorials may be made to the Meredosia Fire Department or the Meredosia Rescue Squad. Condolences may be left at buchanancody.com.
