Gladys Irene Donoho, 87, of Texico, died at 4:14 p.m., on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at her home, after a lengthy battle with dementia.
She was born on August 25, 1938, in Orchard Township, Wayne County, Illinois, the only child of Lewis and Gertie (Waller) Donoho. On April 15, 1955, she was united in marriage to Delbert E. Donoho at Wells Chapel General Baptist Church, in rural Bluford, by the late Rev. O.E. “Jack” Hargrave. Delbert was home on a short leave from the U.S. Army, when the young couple decided to marry before he returned to duty.
When Irene was a child, she told her grandpa that when she grew up, she would marry a farmer and have lots of kids. She married her farmer and had four children. They diligently worked together building a dairy, grain, and swine farm. Irene kept busy on the farm milking cows, cleaning the milking equipment and parlor, and caring for the livestock. She was not afraid to try any job on the farm. She was often seen driving the grain trucks to the elevator or hauling hogs to the market, and on occasion, driving a tractor or combine. They continued to farm until Delbert’s failing health, and untimely death, on November 30, 1998.
In addition to Irene’s farm activities, she also grew a large garden, feeding her family fresh vegetables and preserving many for later consumption. She also generously shared her bounty with others. She loved to be in the kitchen making her kind of artwork. She was given the name “The Pie Lady” because of the tasty pies she created, and would often donate them to charitable events. She loved to cook for the farmhands and received great pleasure from watching them enjoy their food. She will always be remembered for her homemade noodles, bread, pies, and angel food cakes, as well as just good country cooking. She was a talented seamstress, making clothes for family and friends, in addition to many quilts. Irene enjoyed making her granddaughters’ dresses, adorned with ruffles and lace, when they were small.
Mrs. Donoho graduated from Wayne City High School, in the class of 1955, as class valedictorian, at the age of 16. After graduation, she worked for Illinois Bell Telephone, as an operator. She joined Wells Chapel Church in 1957, and maintained her membership there, being the oldest member at the time of her death. She was affectionately known as “Granny” by most of the congregation.
Survivors include her children, Mark (Karen) Donoho of Bluford, Darrell (Tammy) Donoho of Mt. Vernon, Lisa Donoho of Iuka, and Kent (Sabra) Donoho of Bluford; 13 grandchildren, Amber (Eric) Shelton, Candace (Troy) Yanez, Dustin (Jennifer) Donoho, Whitney Bruce, Sara (Matt) Harris, Gina (Bryan) Hildreth, Kyle (Shelby) Crippen, Elizabeth (Blake) Hiestand, Hannah Donoho, Rebekah (Andrew) White, Jonathan (Abagail) Donoho, Lydia Donoho, and Rachel Donoho; 18 great-grandchildren, Karregan (Colton) Maier, Kambyl Shelton and fiancée Levi Aydt, Kloey, Karter, and Kendry Donoho, Brooks Yanez, Krimsyn, Kree, and Knox Bruce, Aiden, Ethan, Isaac, and Ren Hildreth, Aubrey Harris, Lillian and Carly Crippen, Reagan and Braxton Hiestand, with one more arriving soon, and Etta and Elsie White; 5 great-great-granddaughters, Shyloh and Irah Smith, Oaklynn and Violet Maier, and Tatum Aydt; and 3 step-grandchildren, Jonathan (Lisa) Bullard, Jennifer (Roger) Collins, and Travis (Savannah) Humphrey. Also surviving is her sister-in-law, Sharon (Mark) Marlow.
In addition to her husband and parents, she was preceded in death by her parents-in-law, Richard and Thelma (Clark) Donoho; brothers-in-law, Richard L. (Loraine) Donoho and C. Dale (Hilda) Donoho; and 2 great-grandchildren: Kolby Yanez and Wheeler Humphrey.
Funeral Services for Mrs. Donoho will be held at Wells Chapel General Baptist Church, in rural Bluford, on Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., with Marty Mills and Craig Smith officiating. She will be laid to rest in the Wells Chapel Cemetery, alongside her husband. Visitation will be held at Osborn Funeral Home in Dix, Illinois, on Sunday, March 22, 2026, from 5:00 p.m. to 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial gifts and donations be made to Union Grove Trustees, Kitchen Fund, or Mission Salem, and will be received at the service, or by mail to the Osborn Funeral Home, P.O. Box 130, Dix, Illinois 62830. Online condolences may be made at www.osbornfuneral.com, or on the Osborn Funeral Home Facebook page.