Donna Lucille Pheneger, age 71, a resident of West Chicago, IL, went to be with the Lord unexpectedly on Sunday, January 10, 2021. She was born September 25, 1949 in Lander, Wyoming to Donald and Lucille Thompson.
Donna grew up in Crystal Lake, IL and graduated from Crystal Lake Community High School in 1967. Through the Methodist Church Youth Group she met her childhood sweetheart, Chuck Pheneger in 1964. They were married on May 9, 1970.
Throughout her career she was passionate about her work with Christian organizations. She worked at Christianity Today, Youth for Christ and Sonlife Ministries. She was an active member of Wheaton Evangelical Free Church (Compass Church) where she taught Sunday School, as well as a very passionate and a driving force of the teen Prayer Partner ministry.
She enjoyed gardening but most of all, she loved being with her family, especially her grandchildren. She was a regular at their games, performances or events and was their biggest cheerleader.
She is survived by her loving husband, Chuck Pheneger, three children, Matt (Laura) Pheneger of Hiram, OH, Tammy Lockett of Warrenville, and Chris (Julie) Pheneger of Aurora, nine grandchildren, Claire, Alyssa, and Braeden Pheneger, Ephran, Brianna and Jeremy Lockett, and Mya, Elly and Nolan Pheneger. She is also survived by brothers, Paul (Donna) Thompson of Lander, WY and Bruce (Joellen) Thompson and her sister, Barb (Dan) Zuspan, nieces and nephews, Jenny Thompson, Callie (Matt) Peterson, Nate (Michelle) Zuspan and Kacie Zuspan and Great nieces and nephews, Trilyn Thompson, Lucy and Emersyn Peterson and Jada, Daron and Caleb Zuspan. She was preceded in death by her parents and nephew, Justin Thompson.
A memorial visitation will be held on Sunday, January 17, 2021 from 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. at Compass Church Wheaton, 520 E. Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton, where a memorial service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Family and friends are invited to watch the livestream service here: Donna Pheneger Service