At her home in Milan and in the loving embrace of her husband of 61 years, Donna Gulley passed from this life on Saturday, November 1, 2014 at the age of 80.

Born at home in Boden, IL on March 3rd, 1934, the 8th of 13 children of Ethel and George Harris, Donna's uncommon strength of character was forged from infancy by more than her fair share of the depression-era challenges facing many poor families in rural Illinois. Though she confronted adversities capable of crushing lesser spirits, Donna instead became a lover of overcoming challenges; and from a history of childhood deprivation, Donna became a generous soul, regularly giving her time, energy, and resources to help family, friends, and organizations in need.

Donna's fortunes brightened when she met her sweetheart, Bob Gulley, and they promptly married on April 25, 1953 in Piggott, Arkansas. They danced at their wedding and continued dancing, nearly every Saturday night for many years, eventually practicing on Saturday afternoons the latest new steps their children and nieces had learned from American Bandstand. Bob's gentle and accepting love for "Donna-Mae" and his great pride in her many achievements fueled her amazing personal growth. His love for Donna was never more evident than in the most difficult days of her illness when he doted on her with consummate tenderness and caring devotion to her wishes.

Running was the challenge Donna enjoyed most. What began at age 40 as walking for exercise during lunch hour progressed to light jogging and then quickly blossomed into a 24-year career as a runner and racer with the Corn Belt Running Club and Rock River Striders. She entered hundreds of races and typically won or placed in her class. Bob built her one, then a second, then a third trophy display shelf. When these shelves overflowed, Donna regularly donated her statues and medals to charities. Donna loved the personal challenges associated with running—the physical exertion, the following of a nutritional regimen, the adherence to a healthy lifestyle—and she was rewarded with uncommon health, vigor and vitality throughout her middle and older adult life. Indeed, she expressed great joy and optimism about turning 70 because she anticipated the enhanced winning potential of moving from the 65-69 year to the 70-74 year age class. But as much as she loved the physical challenges and appreciated the trophies, she more than loved the camaraderie of the sport and the many deep and enduring friendships of her fellow runners. And when, tragically, illness robbed her of her running prowess while still arguably in the prime of her life, her friends from the running community brought her joy and comfort until her final days.

Donna was well known as an eager and active humanitarian who served many worthy causes and organizations. She volunteered with Habitat for Humanity, served meals at the Christian Care Center Rescue Mission, was a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Milan, was a 10-year co-chair for the Quad Cities Marathon Planning Committee, and was both a writer and collating coordinator for the Cornbelt Running Club Newsletter.

Donna's generosity and service to humanity were publicly recognized in many ways. She was a 2-time winner of the Cornbelt Running Club Humanitarian Award, a winner of the Harlene Kopel Humanitarian Award, and winner of the Carol J. Mundrip Award for Excellence in Volunteerism. Less in the public eye, however, were Donna's countless acts of everyday generosity of spirit and deed within her huge extended family and large network of friends—these acts of emotional and material support live on in the hearts and minds and lives of those she touched.

Perhaps unremarkable for a woman who worked her way up from clerical staff to Management Analyst during a 34-year career at the Rock Island Arsenal, a woman who also earned her college degree in adulthood while working full time, Donna somehow found quiet moments in her life to compose poetry. And, almost incredible for a complete novice, Donna had the desire and determination in her late 60s to begin piano lessons. Thus she and her grandson came to perform hilarious piano duets at family gatherings to the utter delight of her granddaughters, her children, and her husband. Nothing brought her more joy than these holiday times with family when she could share in the unbridled enthusiasm of her grandchildren at play.

Donna was preceded in death by four brothers and four sisters, and is survived by sisters Phyllis, Mary, Edith, and Shirley. She also leaves her loving husband of 61 years (Robert), daughter Cindy (husband Rick), son Steve (wife Carrie), three grandchildren Adel, Stephanie (husband Greg), and Andrea (husband Josh) and three great-grandsons (Hunter, Sawyer and Gavin).

With her outsized reserves of grit, tenacity, and determination, she achieved remarkable successes in life and there can be no doubt that she has left for us all a world noticeably better than the one she was given.

At her request, a private burial service was held in the Farlow Grove Cemetery, Matherville . In the springtime an event to celebrate the life of Donna Gulley will be announced. Wheelan-Pressly Funeral Home, Milan assisted the family. Online condolences may be left for the family at wheelanpressly.com