Donna Mae Kinney, daughter of Lawrence (Babe) Hayes Riley and Ella Marie (Fuller) Riley, was born on March 12, 1942, on the family farm near Corning, Missouri. She passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2006, at the Montgomery County Memorial Hospital in Red Oak following a lengthy bout with cancer at the age of 64.
Her early life was spent in the northwest Missouri area in the Corning, Fairfax and Tarkio communities. The family later moved to Shenandoah, Iowa, where Donna graduated from Shenandoah High School with the Class of 1960.
On May 18, 1965, Donna was united in marriage to Charles Kinney in Nebraska City, Nebraska. To this union was born one son, Calvin. They have resided in Essex since their marriage. Most of Donna's life was spent devoted to helping feed people. She worked at Ike's Caf, Herk's Caf, Henry Field's Nursery, Johnson Grocery, the Essex Public Schools and last worked with Chuck running the Hometown Inn.
She was involved in the Pairs & Squares of Shenandoah and the Lutheran Church. Donna enjoyed watching her grandkids' sports, fishing and dancing. She was an avid football fan. Her favorite teams to follow were the Kansas City Chiefs and the Nebraska Cornhuskers.
Preceding Donna in death was her father, Lawrence Hayes Riley. Survivors include her husband, Charles Kinney of Essex; son, Calvin Kinney and wife Angie, four grandchildren, Courtney, Caleb, Colby and Cameron Kinney, all of Essex; mother, Ella Riley of Essex; four brothers, Paul Riley and wife Helen of Essex, Dave Riley and wife Emma of Essex, Robert Riley and wife Connie of Alexandria, SC, and Jerry Riley and wife Sharon of Parsons, KS; sister, Linda Schieding of Denver, CO; and many other close friends and family. Funeral services were held on Friday, August 25, 2006, at 10:30 a.m. at the Hackett-Livingston Funeral Home in Shenandoah. Words of comfort were given by Pastor Gary Fuller. Organist was Pat Tillman. Musical selections were "Green, Green Grass Of Home", "How Great Thou Art" and "Peace In The Valley". Attending the memory register were Emma Riley and Charlotte Hilker. Caring for the flowers were Sharon Riley, Helen Riley and Brenda Riley. Honorary casket bearers were Dave Riley, Jerry Riley, Paul Riley, Linda Scheiding and Robert Riley. Casket bearers were Rod Riley, David Riley, Curtis Riley, Russell Hilker, Will Lester and Delaine Resh. Interment was in the Essex Cemetery. Memorials are being directed to Essex Fire & Rescue.