Donna Kay Fordice Bushong

Donna Kay Fordice Bushong, 71, passed away on Feb. 19, 2024 in Peoria, Ariz.

She was born May 8, 1952 to Maurice and Darlene (Jackson) Fordice of Russellville. She graduated from North Putman High School in 1970 as its first valedictorian and DePauw University in 1974. She taught English and Latin in Florida and at Morristown High School.

She married Kim Bushong on Jan. 23, 1982 and moved to Arizona, where he worked at Luke AFB in the fire department for 35 years. She worked in health insurance at Pacific Life and relocated to IHC insurance until her retirement in 2015.

She loved traveling, especially National Parks, where she and her husband traveled as far east as Bar Harbor, Maine, and as far west as Maui, Hawaii. Her favorites were Acadia National Park in Maine, Arches Nation Park in Utah and the Island of Maui. She loved family coming to visit so that she could show them the sites of Arizona.

Because of her love for animals, Donna adopted several cats and dogs over the years from animal shelters and rescue centers. However, her happiest moments were time spent with her husband, daughters, son-in-law and her grandson, Jackson. She was excitedly anticipating the arrival of her granddaughter, Allie, born in April 2024.

In addition to her dad of Russellville, she is survived by husband Kim; daughters Andrea (Jaec) Hanser and Stacy Bushong; grandson Jackson Hanser and granddaughter Allie Hanser, all of Arizona; siblings Judy (Mitch) Proctor, Jeff (Lou Ann) Fordice, Dennis (Teresa) Fordice, Mark (Sandra) Fordice, Jan (Keith) Jeffries and Marty (Diane) Fordice; brothers-in-law Eric (Sandy) Bushong and Scot (Terri) Bushong; and many nieces and nephews, great-nieces and nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her mom, mother- and father-in-law Dorothy and Dean Bushong and brother- and sister-in-law Kirby and Clarice Bushong.

A celebration of life will be held Saturday, Sept. 21 at the Russellville Community Church. Visitation will be from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. with a memorial service beginning at 1 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to local animal shelters.