Donna M. Sinwelski

Donna Marie Sinwelski (née Yoder), of East Hazel Crest, Illinois passed away peacefully on June 29, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, just shy of her 97th birthday.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Roman, her sons, Frederick (Jacqueline) and David (Nancy), and her siblings George, Art, Vi, and Betty. She is survived by her brother, Calvin (Teri) Yoder, her children Eugene (Debra), Karen, Edward (Kathyleen), Roman (Kathleen), Marie, Barbara, and Patrick (Susan) and the late James and John. Cherished grandmother of twenty-four grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Born at home at 2.5 pounds in Steger, Illinois on August 5, 1929, Donna was raised in a hard-working family during the tough times of the Great Depression. She attended Bloom Township High School, after which she met Roman in 1946 at a factory job. They married the next year at his home parish of Ascension Church in Harvey, Illinois. They started their family of nine in Harvey and Markham, before finally buying a home in Phoenix, Illinois. Donna worked tirelessly to give her family the best life possible, working jobs at Graff's Chicken, Allis-Chalmers Engine Division, and various side jobs in addition to being a full-time mother. In 1976, Roman passed, making Donna a widow. Undaunted, she started working at a bank in downtown Chicago until she retired in 1995. In 1986, she moved to East Hazel Crest, where she lived with her daughter Barbara until her passing. Though officially retired, she continued in her favorite vocation, helping raise and care for her grandchildren.

Donna's main passion was supporting her family, whether she was cooking food, attending concerts and graduations, or giving heartfelt cards and gifts. Her large family will remember her generosity, warmth, determination, fairness, and love for all. She will be dearly missed.

The wake will be held on Friday, July 3, 2026, at Tews-Ryan Funeral Home, 18230 Dixie Highway, Homewood, IL, from 8:30-11:00 am followed by a Funeral Mass at 11:30 am at St. John Neumann Catholic Church (formerly St. Joseph Church) in Homewood. Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in Calumet City, IL. For additional information contact tews-ryanfh.com or call 708-798-5300.