Donna Sue Burger

Donna Sue (Vowell) Burger, 83, of Washington, went home to be with Jesus at 5:23am on Sunday, December 31, 2023 with her two children by her side.

Donna was the daughter of the late Melvin Keith and Beulah Helen (Crews) Vowell, born to them on January 18, 1940 in Daviess County.

She was raised on a farm with her parents and sister Mary Ann (Vowell) Rader, surviving (husband Tom Rader) and the late David Vowell (1st wife the late Carol Hornaday, 2nd wife the late Charlotte Smith). She was a lover of all animals, especially horses, cattle, dogs, and squirrels. Growing up she attended Sugarland Grade School and Washington High School, graduating in 1958 with her beloved classmates. She was a 4-H member and showed horses and swine along with her Dad and Uncle, Floyd Crews, memories she always cherished.

Donna married Sam Jones in 1959, and they had two children, Jeffrey K. Jones (wife Robin Gregory) and Joelyn K. (Jones) Powden (husband Brandt). Donna was involved with Sam’s race team of Moody & Jones, then later, Moody, Jones & Doughtery for many years. That was followed by watching her son Jeff compete successfully in the racing industry as well.

She later married Richard William (Rich) Burger on May 15, 1982, and moved to Mt. Washington, KY, where she owned a craft retail shop named Calico Corner Crafts. Donna & Rich moved back home to Washington and restored her parent’s home on George Street, living there a few years before moving in with her Uncle who was ailing in health. There they lived life to the fullest, enjoying family and friends for dinner after morning and evening church services. The more the merrier was Donna’s thinking.

She was an avid mushroom hunter, and a lover of the outdoors. Reading was a passion of hers. She loved singing on her churches Praise & Worship Team & was instrumental in the success of Hope House for the community. She was diligent in her duties as Church Treasurer up until January of 2023. Many other interests of Donnas were playing cards and games on Sundays with friends and family, watching college basketball (especially during March Madness), watching the Triple Crown horse races, fishing (especially with grandkids), watching Washington Hatchet Basketball, NASCAR, attending her Home Ec club meetings, gardening, canning, freezing, sewing, crafting, and FUN vacation with her girlfriends. She counted HER squirrels every day from her dining room window and knew when one was missing. She was always on a mission, and never had idle hands. Her days of employment included that of a Bank Teller, Stay at Home Mom, Parts Counter Sales at Moody, Jones & Doughtery Speed Shop, Secretary for Armour Feed Mill (now known as Perdue), Ralston Purina, The Bridal Shop, and tended to her Craft Shop as well as traveling the Tri State Area Craft shows and fairs, selling her products. Jones and Sons, and Wal-Mart were her last jobs before she retired to focus on the Church duties, Hope House, and her family and friends that she so loved.

Survivors include her children, Jeffrey K. (Robin) Jones, and Joelyn K. (Brandt) Powden; her grandchildren, Jeri Barnard, Brandon Barnard, Ryan Lenahan & wife Madonna, Tyler Jones and wife Jenna, Joshua Bissey, and Jeremiah Bissey; her great-grandchildren, Taylor (Smith) Hollingsworth, Preston Bardnard, Liam Jones, Soon to be Baby Jones, Kinsley Lenahan, Rose Lenahan, Soon to be Baby Lenahan, and Lucas Bissey; her great-great-grandchild, Layla Hollingsworth; four nieces, Lisa (Sauers) Moffitt and husband Tom, Melinda (Sauers) Dabney and husband Kirk, Cheryl (Vowell) Harner and husband Rodney, and Marsha (Vowell) Clarke and husband John; many great nieces and nephews, and several cousins. Donna’s family and friends were simply blessed by her presence.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, January 7, 2024, from 9:00 -12:00pm at Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home, 2020 State St., Washington, IN 47501. A funeral service will begin immediately at the conclusion of the visitation with Jeff Jones and Joelyn Powden officiating. Interment will follow in the Sugarland Memory Gardens. Live streaming of the service will be available online at goodwinsieversfh.com on Donna’s obituary listing. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorial contributions to be made to Church On The Way, or The Villages at Oak Ridge Activities.

Goodwin-Sievers Funeral Home is honored and privileged to be entrusted with the care of Donna.