Donna Dixon

Donna Johanna O’Neill Dixon, 86, of Champaign, Illinois died on Saturday, April 15, 2023 at 11:51 pm at the Bickford of Champaign.  A mass of Christian burial will be held Friday, April 21, 2023 at 10:30 am at Holy Cross Catholic Church, Champaign.  Burial will be at Woodlawn Cemetery, Urbana.  Visitation will be from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm on April 20, 2023 at Owens Funeral Home, Champaign.   

Donna was born on January 1, 1937, in Champaign, Illinois, the daughter of Mark W. and Dorothea E. (Cooke) O’Neill.  Donna was raised in Champaign and graduated from Champaign High School with the class of 1955.  Donna married Jack L. Dixon on June 11, 1956.  Donna was a homemaker for most of her life.  She became the first female to serve on the Champaign Fire and Police Board.  She was also a member of the Champaign Women’s Club and worked part time at Robeson Department Store and as a salesperson with Avon.  She was a member of the Holy Cross Catholic Church before moving to Pana, Illinois in 1983, where she became a member of the St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pana.  While in Pana, she volunteered in the gift shop at Pana Community Hospital.

Surviving are her son, Rick Dixon (Cheryl) of Mahomet, Illinois; daughter, Debbie Kara (Dan) of Claremore, Oklahoma; Grandsons, Chris Kara of Claremore, Oklahoma; Jason Dixon (Rhonda) of Denton, Texas; and Phillip Kara (Stephanie) of Keller, Texas; granddaughter, Kaitlin Southworth (Kevin) of Champaign; seven great-grandchildren; and a sister, Mary Katherine O’Neill-O’Connor of Scottsdale, Arizona.  Donna was preceded in death by her parents, her husband of 63 years, and her son, Mark.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to St. Patrick’s School in Pana, Illinois.   

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