Donna Kay McArdle, 76 of Taylorville, passed away at 9:50a.m. on Thursday, May 5, 2022 at Taylorville Care Center. She was born on May 21, 1945 in Taylorville, the daughter of William Norton and Edith Lorraine (Spain) VanHooser. She married Clarence Eugene McArdle on June 24, 1961 in Taylorville. Donna loved bird watching and enjoying the beauty of spring flowers and trees. She and her sisters shared a pastime of putting together jigsaw puzzles, and she completed hundreds over the years. She was an avid antique collector. She had many prized collections including depression-era glass, figurines, and more that she meticulously documented and catalogued. More than anything, she and Clarence loved to travel. Together they visited the 48 contiguous states and much of Canada. They were never afraid to drop what they were doing to visit a new destination. Taking an hours-long drive simply to eat dinner was not uncommon at all for them. While interstate travel was quicker, they enjoyed the beauty and discovery that the backroads had to offer. Donna’s favorite state to visit was Utah, to take in the majestic beauty of the colorful rock formations. On a visit to South Dakota, they ended up visiting the Crazy Horse Memorial and became instantly enamored in its grandeur. They made several return trips to the monument, supporting its creation, and on one trip, they were gifted a 700-pound stone from the site that they proudly loaded in their truck, and brought it to their home to display.
She is survived by her husband: Clarence Eugene McArdle of Taylorville; sons: Norman Eugene McArdle (Cheryl) of Smyrna, Delaware and Charles Patrick “Chuck” McArdle of Taylorville; grandchildren: Jennifer Lynn Lewis (Aaron) of Dover, Delaware, Mark Timothy McArdle of Rockville, Maryland, and Jamie Lee Embert (Eric) of Smyrna, Delaware; great-grandchildren: Joshua Embert, Noah Embert, Eli Embert, Ashlynn Bell Lewis, and Landon Lewis; siblings: Rhea “Sue” Beaird and Charles VanHooser (Pat) all of Taylorville; and several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents and siblings: William VanHooser and Sharon Marshall.
Donna will be cremated, and a memorial service will take place at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, May 11, 2022, at McClure Funeral Home in Taylorville with Pastor Jerry Thorpe officiating. Inurnment will take place at Oak Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Memorials in Donna’s memory may be left to the Crazy Horse Memorial Foundation, 12151 Avenue of the Chiefs, Crazy Horse, SD 57730. McClure Funeral Home and Cremation Services in Taylorville is assisting the family with arrangements. Memories of Donna, or condolences to her family, may be shared online at www.mcclurefuneralhome.com.
