Donna Josephine (Van Reeth) Lucas

Donna Josephine Van Reeth Lucas, 97, went home to be with the Lord with her daughters and great friend by her side, on Monday, October 17, 2022.

Donna was born July 15, 1925, on a farm in Muskingum County five miles from Rix Mills, a daughter to the late Carl Joseph and Jessie Marie (Shepherd) Van Reeth.

Donna was a 1943 graduate of New Concord High School. She was a member of the Indian Camp Community Church, the Guernsey County Farm Bureau, and the past Hopewell Homemakers. She was a farm wife and worked at the Muskingum County Court House. Donna loved to cook, can, and prepare meals for people. She always said, "anyone could have a seat at the table". A few more of her hobbies included sewing, reading, puzzles,  harness racing, making homemade ice cream, and the key to happiness was caring for others and making new dresses. Donna had a strong love for farm life. The beauty of nature was always a blessing to her. Wildlife always caught her eye when passing by a window. A smile always appeared as she viewed the field and trees.

In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband and the love of her life, Wilbur "Buss" Lucas, whom she married in Fort Collins, Colorado on June 16, 1946 and passed away on May 13, 1981, two brothers, Delbert (Betty) Van Reeth and Joseph D. Van Reeth, her sister, Velma Salter, four brothers-in-law, Paul (Jayne) Lucas, Robert (Gladys) Lucas, George Lucas, Donald Lucas, and two sisters-in-law, Fern (Guy) Cornelius and Virginia Delaney.

Donna is survived by two daughters, Carla Lucas of Cambridge, and Sheryl Lucas Braniger Derry of Zanesville, one brother, Jack (Marty) Van Reeth of Canal Winchester, two sisters-in-law, Kay Van Reeth of Zanesville, and Joyce Lucas of Cambridge, one grandson, John Phillip Braniger of Zanesville, one great grandson, John Tyler Braniger of Nevada, many nieces and nephews, and her special friends, Brenda, Bob, Dina, Becky, M.J., Dale, T'wana, and two special young men, Alex and Zach.

Calling hours will be held Thursday, October 20, 2022, from 4-6 PM, and Friday, from 12-1 PM, with the service to immediately follow at Thorn Black Funeral Home in Cambridge with Pastor Greg Black officiating. Interment will be held at Guernsey Memory Gardens.