Springfield — Donna Marie Arnold, 68, of Springfield, Illinois, passed away on Monday, Aug. 31, 2026, at Springfield Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family. Donna was born Sept. 19, 1957, in Blue Island, Illinois, the daughter of Dean Foster and Regina Mary Doyle Funk. She lived in Mundelein before moving to Springfield where she spent the rest of her life, marrying David Charles Arnold on Oct. 11, 1980, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham. She was preceded in death by her mother, Regina Mary Funk; stepmother, Patricia Wilson Funk; in-laws Charles Dillman and Ladonna Jean Arnold; and brother-in-law, John Peters.

Donna graduated from Glenwood High School in 1975 and Lincoln Land Community College in 1982, earning her associate degree in nursing. She worked at Memorial Medical Center on 2G before moving to Springfield Obstetric and Gynecologic Associates (SOGA), where she worked as a phone nurse. Her last nursing job was back at Springfield Memorial Hospital, where she worked in preadmissions until she retired in March 2020. After retiring, she worked as a volunteer giving COVID-19 vaccines during the height of the pandemic before enjoying her retirement, spending time cruising, reading, sewing and spoiling her family’s many pets. She loved sewing, making baby blankets and quilts for everyone, gardening and flowers, animals, and most importantly, being a mother to anyone and everyone. She was an avid volunteer in the Sew and Sews, a sewing group at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, and she cooked and served meals at Helping Hands in Springfield. She also loved volunteering at the Illinois Dental Mission of Mercy.

She is survived by her husband, David Arnold, of Springfield; three daughters, Jennifer M. Arnold of Springfield, Samantha L. Arnold of Pawnee, and Kimberly M. Arnold of Oreana; one son, Brian J. (partner, Jesse Merriman) Arnold, of Oakland, California; one brother, David (wife, Cindy) Funk, of Springfield; a brother-in-law, Alan Arnold; a sister-in-law, Michelle Peters (husband, John, deceased); and nieces Amanda (husband, John) Sidwell, Kayla (husband, Jeff) Davis, Kendra (husband, Ryan) Holloway, Krystal (husband, Josh) Zeter and Grace Funk; and numerous grandnephews and grandnieces. Donna is also survived by her very spoiled family pets, including cats Rizzo and Ozzie, and granddogs and cats Leroy, George, Winnie, Gertrude, Clyde, Tethys, Prometheus and Bob.

Donna’s family will meet friends from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, at Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Friday, Sept. 4, 2026, at St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church in Chatham, with Rev. Joseph Molloy officiating. Burial will follow at Chatham Memorial Cemetery in Chatham.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Friends of Sangamon County Animal Control, P.O. Box 9742, Springfield, IL 62791, or at friendsofscac.org, or Helping Hands of Springfield, 2200 Shale St., Springfield, IL 62703, or at helpinghandsofspringfield.org.

Curry Funeral Home in Pawnee is honored to serve the family of Donna Arnold. Online condolences may be shared at www.curryfh.com.