Donna Jean (Barnes) Dillman, 85, of Bluffton, could not wait any longer to join her beloved husband, George, who passed away earlier this year. On Thursday, Oct. 29, 2026, she joined him in heaven to be with their Savior, Jesus Christ, forever.
Donna was born in Cambridge City, Indiana, on July 28, 1941 to Helen (French) and Charles Barnes. She married George Warner Dillman in Richmond on Dec. 16, 1961. They shared nearly 65 years of marriage together, before George preceded her in death on May 22, 2026. For 10 years they lived in Linn Grove, where they started raising their family. Later, they moved to Bluffton, where they lived for the past 50 years. Donna and George had five children, Gary (Rita), Tim (Rhonda), Cindy Harris, Patty Wylie-Bollheimer and Jennifer (Jade) Heyerly.
Donna retired from Caylor-Nickel Clinic where she was a supervisor in the housekeeping department for many years. She also worked at Kitco and Jack’s Surplus in her earlier years.
Donna always enjoyed having her children and grandchildren spend the summer weekends at their campground site making legacy memories and sharing her love with them. She also enjoyed many Saturday evenings with family and close friends listening and singing along to her favorite gospel hymns as her husband led the band members.
In addition to her five children and spouses, Donna is survived by 11 grandchildren, Nick (Ashlee), Brittany (Adam), Chad, Brandon (Sajra), Jordan (Andrea), Sadie (Tyler), Hunter, Shaylee (Donald), Bailey (Brooke), Brianna and Natalie; and 19 great-grandchildren, Camden, Emerson, Hudson, Liam, Alessia, Aiden, Asher, Sophia, Charlotte, Eleanore, Grayson, Griffin, Emma, Breckin, Christian, Landen, Analia and Gabriel. She is also survived by two sisters, Sue Weaver and Cathy Oswalt; two sisters-in-law, Gina Barnes and Sharon Barnes; and many nieces, nephews and other family members who loved her dearly.
Aside from her parents and husband, Donna was preceded in death by a great-grandson, Eliseo Martinez III, and five brothers, Jack, Clarence, Bob, Charles and Paul Barnes.
Visitation will be on Wednesday, Nov. 4, 2026, from 2 until 7 p.m., at Goodwin – Harnish Funeral Home in Bluffton. Funeral services, officiated by longtime friend, Barry Crosbie, will be held on Thursday, Nov. 5, at 10 a.m., at the funeral home, with visitation one hour prior to the service. Burial will immediately follow the funeral at Six Mile Cemetery in Bluffton. A celebration of life meal will follow at the Christian Care Activity Center on North Shore Drive in Bluffton.
Donna’s family would like to give special appreciation to the amazing and caring staff of Christian Care Retirement Community who lovingly cared for her over the last few years of her life.
Memorial donations in memory of Donna may be directed to the Christian Care Good Samaritan Fund.
Online condolences may be shared at www.goodwinharnish.com.