Donna D. Tull

Donna D. Tull, 88, of Shelbyville, IL, passed away at 5:14 a.m. Friday, August 15, 2025, in her residence.

Graveside services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 20, 2025, in Glenwood Cemetery, Lakeside Addition, in Shelbyville, IL with Pastor Bill Smith officiating. Arrangements are by Howe and Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville, IL. Memorials may be given to Sarah Bush Lincoln Hospice. Send condolences at www.howeandyockey.com

Donna was born on May 7, 1937, in Shelbyville, IL, the daughter of Glover and Edna B. (Fox) Brown. She graduated from Shelbyville High School in the Class of 1955, where she was remembered for her blonde hair and her love of roller skating. Donna attended Wilton’s Cake Decorating School in Chicago, IL, where she won the championship in her class. Her employments included Mallory Timers in Pana, working as a nurse’s aide and then R.R. Donnelley & Sons in Mattoon. Donna loved the holidays. At Halloween she would decorate the outside of her house and make special treat bags and refreshments for the trick or treaters and their parents. Christmas season was her favorite. Her house would be decorated inside and out, as she often hosted a Christmas open house. She always wanted the kids in town to have a good Christmas and was known as the “Christmas Lady”. She loved horses and enjoyed riding in parades and participating in horse shows. Donna was a member of the Tennessee Walking Horse Association and the Spotted Saddle Horse Association. Donna was known for opening the doors of her home to anyone in need and for always taking care of others. In her spare time, Donna made and decorated custom wedding, birthday and special occasion cakes and raised Boxer puppies and Siamese kittens.

She is survived by her daughter, Melissa Ann Gaddis of Shelbyville, IL; step-son, Stan Himes (Pam) of Bethany, IL; step-daughter, Belinda Hendrix of Mattoon, IL; sister, Carol Jo Calhoun of Mt. Zion, IL; nephew, Robbie Calhoun (Kim) of Mt. Zion, IL; grandchildren, Brad Himes (Danah) of Charleston, IL, Shannon Terlap (James) of Lake Bluff, IL; and five great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Glover and Edna Brown; husband, Keith L. Himes; second husband, Howard Tull; son-in-law, Terry Gaddis; sister, Norma Jean Yoder; brother, Edward Fritz Brown; and nephew, Fritz Doyle Brown.