Donna Sue Schilling, age 78, a resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas, passed away unexpectedly Wednesday, May 8, 2024, in Ft. Scott. She was born May 3, 1946, in Nevada, Missouri, the daughter of William A. Carpenter, Sr. and Nellie Mae Lawrence Carpenter. Donna grew up in the Deerfield, Missouri area and graduated from the Nevada High School. She married the love of her life, Dale Schilling on March 4, 1966, at the First Church of God in Ft.Scott.

Throughout her life, Donna worked primarily in the insurance business. She was employed by the Western Insurance Company, American States Insurance Company, and later worked for Billiard-Hammer-Hartman Insurance Agency until she retired.

Donna loved life and spending time with her family. Many summers were spent watching her son, Travis, play softball and traveling to tournaments. Her home became the softball team’s gathering place, and she loved watching them play in the yard. Donna enjoyed shopping and was always on the lookout for a good bargain, a skill she taught to her granddaughters who lovingly renamed her Nana.

Donna and Dale made a point to attend every one of their granddaughters’ activities and enjoyed taking family trips to Branson.

As Donna’s health declined, quiet times at home were spent watching gameshows and being entertained by her great-grandson, Kalister. She was a long time member of Faith Church, watching online every Sunday.

Survivors include her husband, Dale, of the home; a son, Travis Schilling and daughter-in-law, Tina of Ft. Scott; two granddaughters, Taylor Qualls and Tabitha Schilling, a grandson-in-law, Levi Qualls and a great-grandson, Kalister Qualls. Also surviving are a brother, Bill Carpenter and wife Diana of Ft. Scott and a nephew, Doug Carpenter of Louisburg, Kansas.

Donna was preceded in death by her parents and a nephew, Scott Carpenter.

Pastor Matthew Hunt will conduct a graveside service at 11:00A.M. Wednesday, May 15* at the Evergreen Cemetery.

The family will receive friends prior to the service on Wednesday from 10:00 A.M. until leaving for the cemetery at 10:45 A.M. at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to the Faith Church Building Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.