Donna Jane Smith Cockerill, 87, died June 29, 2025, at her home in Rushville surrounded by her family.Donna Jane Smith Cockerill, 87, died June 29, 2025, at her home in Rushville surrounded by her family.
She was born July 31, 1937, near Apple Pie Ridge, Bluffs, a daughter of Paul B. and Evelyn Marie Little Smith. She married Vernon Cockerill on June 2, 1956, in Champaign. He preceded her in death in 1982.
She also was preceded in death by three brothers, Donald, Leo Paul and Robert L. Smith; four sisters, Janiece Weakley, Eva, Lucille and Pauline Smith; and one great-granddaughter, Sophia Sherrod.
Surviving are four daughters, Robin C. Glenn of El Reno, Okla., Debra (and Kent) Allen of Jacksonville, Geri (and Fred) Ringenberg of Rushville and Jill Cockerill of Piedmont, Mo.; eight grandchildren; 19 great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.
She was the Valedictorian of the 1955 graduating class at Bluffs High School. Upon graduation she left Bluffs for Champaign to work in the steno pool at the University of Illinois Department of Agriculture.
In 1958, Donna and her husband purchased a veterinary practice in Rushville. Together they built two businesses, Schuyler Animal Hospital and Schuyler Laboratories, Inc., the latter manufacturing nutritional swine products and became internationally known. The business was sold after Vernon’s death in 1982.
She was a member of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church. Throughout her adult life she was involved in Rushville and Schuyler community service. She chaired the “Hands Across Rushville” benefit for Mary Shaver, organized a “peaceful sit-in” by horseback at Weinberg King State Park when the DNR was going to close it. She was a charter member of Schuyler Singers, a Deaconess at First Presbyterian Church, a member of Chamber of Commerce, her Bridge Club and Lunch Bunch Ladies at the SchuyVista.
A Celebration of Life will be held at noon Thursday at Sugar Grove United Methodist Church with Rev. Charla Myers officiating. A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon at the church prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sugar Grove United Methodist Church or to the Rushville Saddle Club.
Condolences may be sent to www.worthingtonfh.com.
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