Donna Kaye (Yingst) Grabbe (a.k.a. Gabby the Clown) departed from her loved ones on October 21, 2012, at her home in rural Louisville, Illinois.
Donna was born in Fairbury, IL on September 2, 1960 to her loving parents (Wanda) Kay and Jim Yingst. Donna graduated from North Clay High School in Louisville, IL in 1978. She joined the United States Air Force where she met her devoted and loving husband of 33 years, Richard Grabbe. Donna later graduated from Indiana University with an associates degree in 1997 and obtained her bachelors in accounting from Eastern Illinois University in 2005. Donna was an active member of the Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville, IL and was president of the board of Iola Old Settlers for approximately five years. Donna worked for Clay County State Bank in Louisville, IL.
Gabby the Clown graduated from Clown Heaven in Martinsville, IN as a professional clown in 1996. Gabby brought smiles and hugs to churches, fairs and events in Indiana, Texas, and Illinois.
Donna left behind many loved ones, including her husband, Richard Louis Grabbe, and her daughters, Heather (Raymond) Rosch of Flora, IL, Miranda Grabbe of Louisville, IL, and her grand-nieces, who she took in as her own, Evelyn and Violet Elledge and her pride and joys, her grandchildren, Haley, Lucas, and Anthony Rosch of Flora, IL.
Donna is survived in passing by her proud and loving parents, Wanda Kay (Cook) and James E. Yingst of Farina, IL and her brothers and sisters, Susan (Jerry) Foust (Herndon, KY), James “Bo” (Hope) Yingst (Farina, IL), Karen (Steve) Elledge (Farina, IL), Eric (Tammy) Yingst (Farina, IL) and her surrogate sister/cousin, Kathy Wilson-Peters of Effingham, IL.
Services for Donna will be held at Red Brush Christian Church in Louisville, IL on Saturday, October 27, 2012. Visitation will begin at 10am and the funeral will be held at noon. Donna will be laid to rest at Red Brush Cemetery in Louisville, IL.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her honor to the Clay County Cancer Crusaders.
Memorial tributes and condolences may be made to the family atwww.jwnealfuneralhome.net.
