Donna Kay Bedwell

Donna Kay Bedwell

Donna Kay Bedwell of St. James, MO formerly of Jasonville, IN passed away Saturday, March 14th, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones. While she may have gained her wings at that time, for 76 years, Donna was an angel here on Earth. Loving, kind, self-less—she ALWAYS put the needs of others ahead of her own. Independent, intelligent, ingenious—she exemplified what a strong woman should look like to those who loved her most.

Donna, the daughter of George Ace and Dolly LaJune (Heath) Skinner, was born on November 22, 1949, in Brazil, Indiana. She was united in marriage to Michael Bedwell on December 30, 1972, in Clay City, Indiana. Donna was a career educator, teaching primarily English grades 7th and 8th across multiple states. She retired from Cape Central Junior High in 2013 where she was affectionately known as “Mrs. B” touching the lives of countless students and colleagues over the years. It was not uncommon for former students to approach her to give her a big hug or many to share a story of success that she had inspired. Shortly before she passed, her former supervisor visited and shared sentiments about the impact she made in education, the respect she had earned amongst the staff as a mentor, and her no-nonsense approach that left a lasting impression from her first interview on. Hearing those stories brought back so many memories and certainly a smile to her face.

Donna’s favorite poem was “Footprints in the Sand” and at many times in her life, she had to call upon her Faith and her love of God to be carried through. She, too, helped to carry many through dark times whether sitting vigil with her best friends while their spouses battled a terminal illness, being present for those closest to her when they were experiencing loss and being that guiding hand, or seeming to always have the right words of comfort when you needed them the most. She was the matriarch; she was the one who always put in effort to make a holiday extra special; she knew how to make a person feel seen and understood. To know her was to love her.

Donna loved reading. The classics to hone her craft, thrillers to sharpen her power of deduction, or period romance to transport her—she did not discriminate, averaging a book a day. She also enjoyed basking in the sun on her favorite Florida beaches. She worshipped the sun from the white sands of Sarasota to the shells of Sanibel Island. For years, the beach had been her favorite destination to escape the day to day. Sitting in the sand with the sun warming her face, listening to the sound of the waves—there was no place she’d rather be. Donna also loved supporting her grandkids at their many events and searching for the ever-elusive “pink Christmas tree” at thrift stores and flea markets across the country.

She is survived by her daughters, Lani Steimle (Ryan) of New Hamburg, MO and AJ Prawitz (Patrick) of St. James, MO; eight grandchildren: Emma, Hayden, Acie, Maria, Charlotte, Rory, Ember, and Veve; sister-in-law Jaimie of FL; brothers-in-law: Bruce (Carol) of AR, Kevin (Leigh) of IN, and Layne (Shelley) of TX; cousins Paul (Jan) Zurcher and Michelle Zurcher of IN and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Michael, her parents, and two beloved babies.

Graveside services will be held at Maple Grove Cemetery in Clay City, Indiana at a later date. In lieu of flowers or gifts, the family asks you to consider a donation to the American Heart Association in her memory.

Online Condolences: www.amick-burnetfuneralchapels.com