Donna D. Ballinger, 63, died Sept. 27, 2011, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

She was born May 14, 1948, in Fairbury, Neb., to Herbert O. and Helen M. Henthorne Graves.

She graduated from Fairbury High School and attended Southern Nazarene University in Bethany, Oklahoma. Donna was a member of Nazarene Missions International Council at First Church of The Nazarene, recipient of the Distinguished Service Award for Lifelong Achievement and the Dove Award for teaching Sunday School and Children's Church for 35 years. She was a member of the National Honor Society and was a para educator for the Reno County Education Cooperative for 25 years.

On Dec. 22, 1984, she married Harold Ballinger in Hutchinson; they were 86 days from celebrating 27 years together. Harold survives.

Other survivors include: a son, Reverend Clay Mitchell and wife Laurie of Fergus Falls, Minnesota; grandchildren, Carter, Ellie, Caden Mitchell of Fergus, Falls, Minnesota; a brother, Ray Graves and wife Kathy of Shenandoah, Iowa; mother, Helen Graves of Fairbury, Nebraska; and father- and mother-in-law, James and Clarita Ballinger of Hutchinson.

Donna was preceded in death by her father and aunt, Dorothy Henthorne.

Funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept. 30, 2011, at the First Church of The Nazarene, 43rd and Monroe, Hutchinson, with Rev. Doug Wyatt and Rev. Bones Nay officiating. Burial will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 1, 2011, at Fairbury Cemetery, Fairbury, Nebraska. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday.

Memorials may be made to First Church of The Nazarene or to Hospice of Reno County, in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a condolence for Donna's family.