Donna Jean Calhoun

Age 70, of Braidwood, Illinois, formerly of Braceville, Illinois, died Friday, August 14, 2026, at the University of Chicago Medical Center.

Born February 18, 1956, in Joliet, Illinois, Donna was the daughter of Mae (Reynolds) Byerley and the late Charles Byerley. She was raised in Braceville and graduated from Gardner South Wilmington High School with the Class of 1974. On March 6, 1976, Donna married Michael William Calhoun at Braceville United Methodist Church. Together, they made their home in Braceville before moving to Braidwood, where they raised their daughters.

Donna was a lifelong and devoted member of Braceville United Methodist Church, and her faith was of deep importance to her. She worked for several years at Jemco before gaining employment with Hollywood Casino, where she spent 25 years as a Quality Assurance Technician. Donna demonstrated her love through acts of service, whether volunteering at Kuzma Care Cottage in Wilmington or sharing handmade gifts with those she loved. She enjoyed baking, gardening, and crocheting and often used those talents as another way to care for others. Donna was also a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan and faithfully followed and supported her team until the very end.

Though she struggled with her health these past few years, she attended to every challenge with poise, quiet grace, and faith. Donna demonstrated her determination on a regular basis to live her life to the fullest, and being present as a loving and devoted mother, daughter, Nana, sister, and aunt to her family. The family wants to extend their deepest gratitude to all of the family members and friends who helped make the final chapter of Donna’s life as full as it could be.

Survivors include her mother, Mae Byerley, and three daughters: Pam (Bill) Raber, Katie (Branden) Johnson, and Samantha (Nick) Montgomery; three grandchildren: Bobby (Miki) Raber, Amelia Johnson, and Everett Montgomery; one brother and three sisters: Linda (mike) Schott, Charles Byerley, Patricia (the late Fred) Wood, and Sharon O'Donnell; two sisters-in-law: Susie Byerley Flowers and Juanita (Manuel) Yeates; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Donna was preceded in death by her father, Charles Byerley, and her husband, Michael W. Calhoun; two brothers: Robert and Clyde Byerley; and two brothers-in-law: John Mack and John Yeates.

Per Donna's wishes, cremation rites are being accorded.

The family will receive friends for a memorial visitation at Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, in Wilmington on Wednesday, August 19, 2026 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will follow at Braceville United Methodist Church, 106 West Gould Street, on Thursday, August 20, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. Inurnment will follow at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, Illinois, where Donna will be laid to rest with her husband, Michael.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Donna's memory to Braceville United Methodist Church, 106 West Gould Street, Braceville, Illinois 60407, or Kuzma Care Cottage, 635 South Main Street, Wilmington, Illinois 60481.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Donna's memorial page via social media.

Cremation services and memorial arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Wilmington (815) 476-2181.