Dona Jean Devlin Wheeler, 84, of Erie, passed away on Sunday, April 16, 2017.

Dona was born in Olean, New York in 1932 to Gertrude Bosworth Devlin and William Francis Devlin. She was raised near Bradford, PA and attended Bradford High School. She continued her education in Pittsburgh and graduated from the Margaret Morrison College at Carnegie Tech in 1954.

Dona began her career at DuPont in Wilmington, Delaware later returning to Pennsylvania to join the convent of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Erie. She was a member of the convent for 13 years. As a Sister of St. Joseph, Dona worked at St. Vincent’s Hospital in hospital administration and continued at St. Vincent’s until her retirement. Subsequent to leaving the convent, Dona met and married her beloved husband, Russell Wheeler. They shared 37 happy years together before his death in 2012.

Dona was an active member of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Erie and she relished being part of the parish community. The church members became a second family for her. She served as treasurer for the Episcopal Women’s Club for many years.
Dona enjoyed playing cards, visiting with friends and family, cheering on the Steelers and Pirates and studying the Bible.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 37 years, Russell S. Wheeler, her brother William Devlin, her sister Mae Sandy, her step-son Richard F. Wheeler ; her nephews, Randy Devlin and William Sandy, and her great-niece, Anna Hill.

Dona is survived by her brother, Robert Devlin; her step-daughters Joy (Al) Oliver and Debra (Stephen) Gale; grandchildren Jeremy (Susan) Oliver, Hillary Gale, Rebecca Oliver, and SFC Jacob (Tiffany) Gale; and great-grandchildren Chase and Arianna; her nine nephews and nieces, Mark (Julie)Devlin, Linda(Scott) Nutt, Robert(Margy) Devlin, William(Sally) Devlin, John(Linda) Sandy, Patricia(Lee) Hill, Charles(Patti) Sandy, Dona(Morgan) Mesko and Mary(Daniel) Highberger and numerous great nephews and nieces and great-great nephews and nieces, all who love and miss her.

Friends may call at the Russell C. Schmidt & Son Funeral Home Inc., 5000 Wattsburg Rd., on Thursday from 5 to 7 p.m. and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 noon. Funeral services will take place at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Saturday at 11:00 a.m. with inurnment to follow in St. Mark's Episcopal Columbarium.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made to St. Mark's Episcopal Church, 4701 Old French Road, Erie, 16509.