Donna Jelaca, age 56 of Hobart passed away peacefully with her family by her side on Monday, July 1st, 2024. Donna was life long member of St Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral and an active member of the church Choir. Donna graduated from Hobart Sr High School in 1986 and pursued her education and completed degrees in Office Management and Court Reporting. Donna’s love for music and singing was a profound part of her life. Her beautiful soprano voice was unparalleled. She was a pianist as well and could play for hours without hesitation. In addition to that Donna also loved playing her flute.She was very musically talented. Donna was also a caregiver for both of her parents until her passing.
Donna is preceded in death by her mother Jovanka Jelaca; her grand parents Dusan and Stana Ivankovich; her two aunts Helen Ivankovich Fontaine and Smilija Jovankovska and cousins Slobodan Gligic and Radivoj Kovljenic.
Donna is survived by her beloved father Dusan Jelaca; her two loving siblings Diane (Leo) Wilkoz and Danny Jelaca; two cherished nieces Kimberly Wilkoz and Katie (Dean) Dotson; Aunts: Dusanka (+Milan) Gligic, Vojka (Momcilo) Kovljenic, Sally Ivankovich, Millie (Don) Lencioni, and Mary Elsey; cousins Mileva (Jovan) Savich, Dusan (Karen) Gligic, Stanko (Brooke) Gligic, Maryann Kovljenic, Peter (Dragica) Kovljenic, Johnny (Taguhi) Portillo, Dan (Nikki) Portillo, Gary (Maral) Portilllo, Kristy Elsey, Kelly (Danny) Oost, Janie (Mark) Markos, and Jeffrey Kljajich; second nieces and nephews Milan and Stevan Savich, Gabriela and Aleksandar Gligic, Nenad and Natasa Kovljenic, Evan and Michael Portillo, Olivia Oost, Dane and Alena Markos, and many other relatives and kumovi both here and in Serbia.
Visitation will be held Sunday, July 7, 2024 at the Calumet Park Funeral Chapel, 7535 Taft St, Merrillvile, from 2pm to 6pm. Pomen Service will take place at 5pm. Funeral Services will be Monday, July 8th, 10:00 AM at St Elijah Serbian Orthodox Cathedral, 8700 Taft St, Merrillville with V. Rev Marko Matic officiating. Interment Calumet Park Cemetery. Donna will be remembered for her kindness and sweet soul that touched everyone she knew and loved; she will be missed and fondly remembered. May her memory be eternal.
For further information please call Mileva or Dave at Calumet Park Funeral Chapel (219) 736-5840.
Our sweet Donna we were all shocked to hear of your sudden illness and now of your passing. On behalf of our entire family we would like to express our deepest condolences to the to Dusan, Diane (Leo), Dragan, Kimberly, Katie (Dean) as well as the entire family, kumovi, and friends. Our prayers and love are with all of you during this difficult time. Donna will live on in our hearts and precious memories that we hold so very deeply. May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all give you comfort and strength and His name be praised forever. Vjecna Pamjat Bog nek joj Dusu prosti, Neka Svevisnji podari rajsko naselje – Familiji iskreno saucesce. Memory Eternalhttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/2626.svghttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/2626.svghttps://s.w.org/images/core/emoji/15.0.3/svg/2626.svg
I will always remember her beautiful soprano voice in choir. She never missed a choir practice let alone church. A few times she had to hold up the soprano section by herself and did it beautifully. When we worked on our choir books trying to organize the pages, Donna was with us until 1:00 in the morning with us telling her to go home because it was so late and dad would be worried. She just kept on working. We will truly miss you Donna and your spot in choir will always remain open. Rest in peace. Vjecnaja pamjat!
Rest in a peace dear Donna.
Our Church has lost one of it’s singing angels to an even Greater Choir. May your soul’s sweet music forever praise God in His Glory, and continue to bring joy to the world. Shine on Donna💖 you will be missed🥰
Memory Eternal! Please accept our deepest and most heartfelt sympathies! Donna was an amazing person – sweet, gentle and kind. She will be truly missed!
Sweet Donna you will truly be missed by the entire Todorovich family. We shared lots of events and family gatherings, We shared lots of conversations and are blessed to have been able to know the kindness and love you shared. So sweet Donna May you rest in peace and May the angels sing along your side with you in heaven. You will always be in our hearts.