Donna Kay (Riley) Grant, 77, of Bloomington, IL, passed away peacefully Friday, May 8, 2026, at Lightways Hospice Care, Joliet, IL with her husband and daughters at her bedside.
Her celebration of life will be held at 11 a.m., Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at Grace Church, Normal with Rev. Niall Philyaw officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m., Monday, May 18, 2026, at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington.
Donna was born on April 6, 1949, in Pittsburg, Kansas, the daughter of George William and Greta Glenn Riley. She married Gary Grant on Aug. 14, 1971, in Pittsburg, KS. He survives.
Also surviving are two daughters, Lindsay (Marc) O’Neal, Lockport, IL; Alissa (Charles) Escobar, Mena, AR; six grandchildren, Ryan and Tyler O’Neal and Trey, Marissa, Christian and Michael Escobar; two great-grandchildren, Mavery and Emory Escobar; three siblings, Janelle (Jon) Prideaux, Pittsburg, KS, Robert (Debbie) Riley, San Marcos, TX and Doreen (Steve) Block, North Little Rock, AR; and numerous nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents and a brother, William Riley.
Donna attended Pittsburg State University for two years followed by two years at the University of Missouri Dental School in Kansas City, MO, graduating with a Dental Hygiene degree in 1971. Donna and Gary moved to Bloomington, IL in 1972 where she started her career as a dental hygienist. After her daughters were born, she shifted her focus to family. She fiercely loved her family and was extremely proud that both daughters received doctorate degrees in their pursuit of health care careers.
Donna loved watching baseball, especially the Saint Louis Cardinals and she particularly enjoyed watching her grandsons play all sports. Her favorites, though, were baseball for Ryan and Tyler starting with T-Ball to now playing on their high school teams. She was a staple at their games, driving the 90 miles to Lockport and travelling across the country to watch their games and cheer for all the athletes. Watching Friday night football games in Mena, AR and cheering for Michael and Christian playing on their high school teams brought back memories of her as a cheerleader for her high school.
While family was important, all who knew Donna knew that Faith was Donna’s foundation. Through all of life’s challenges she was comforted by that Faith. As a devoted Christian Donna was an active member of Grace Church, Normal. She was also a devoted student of the Bible, participating in Women’s Bible Study Fellowship as a student and as a member of the administrative staff for 18 years. She was also a long-standing member of Chapter AW-PEO, Bloomington.
Memorials may be made to Lightways Hospice, Joliet, Illinois Cancer Care, Bloomington or Community Cancer Center, Normal.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
