Donna J. Marquardt, 83 years old of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away on Friday, October 18, 2013 at the Adams Heritage located in Monroeville. She was born on Saturday, May 3, 1930 in Allen County, Indiana the daughter of the late Joseph E. Richman and the late Esther R. (Stellhorn) Richman. She married Otto E. Marquardt on October 23, 1948 in St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock and he passed away on March 5, 1978. Donna was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock and the American Legion Auxiliary Unit 420 of Monroeville. Donna graduated from Hoagland High School in 1948. She had worked at Luginbill Wire & Die and was a cook for both Nine Mile Restaurant and the Pour House. She was also a Christian clown for over twenty years, spreading smiles and Tootsie Rolls. She loved her family and on Poppy Days, she would be at the bank selling poppies and she always made potatoes & dressing at the Thanksgiving dinner at the Legion. Many people will remember Donna as "Whispers", the voice on the CB helping those in trouble during the Blizzard of '78. She was a caregiver to anyone needing anything and had helped with the 4th of July Festival in Monroeville for many years. Surviving are her daughter, Deborah S. (Gene) Reed of Monroeville; daughter, Laurie A. (Dale) Gerber of Monroeville; brother, Norman E. Richman of New Haven; and brother, Weldon F. Richman of Hoagland. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Erin K. Reed Anderson; Matthew L. Monroe; Phillip E. Monroe; Nicole E. Monroe Pax; Brandon M. Gerber; and Lance A. Gerber and her great-grandchildren, Lucas W. Anderson; Caitlain M. Anderson; Carissa J. Anderson; Jocelynn M. Monroe; Curtis Y. Monroe; Madelynn N. Monroe; Beatrice Monroe; Kayden D.W. Pax; Gunner A. Gerber; Kenzianna Missler and Rylee Brehm. Preceding Donna in death were a daughter, Karen E. Monroe; a sister June Knefelkamp; and two brothers, Earl W. & Ervin A. Richman. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 22, 2013 in the St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock with Rev. Douglas Christian officiating. Interment will follow in the Monroeville Memorial Cemetery. Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m., Monday, October 21 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville and for one hour prior to the service at the church on Tuesday. Preferred memorials are to St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock or Monroeville EMS.
