Donna Fortner

Donna J. Fortner (nee Schamel) passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving children, on October 29, 2026, due to complications of vascular dementia. She is survived by her 4 children: daughter Lynda Fortner, son Jeff Fortner, son Scott Fortner, and daughter Robyn Fortner. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law, James "Skip" and Risa Schamel. She is preceded in death by her mother, Evelyn Schamel; father, Harold Schamel; sister and brother-in-law, Sharon and Raymond Vought; brother and sister-in-law, Gary and Clare Schamel; brother and sister-in-law, Rex and Kay Schamel; nieces Debbie DeAlba and Diane Zugner; best friend Bev Parker Bertoia; and ex-husband Bobby Fortner.

Also survived by many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Donna grew up in Rockwell City, a small town in Iowa. She was raised Catholic and attended catholic school until high school. She graduated from Rockwell City High School in 1955. Upon graduating, she decided to have an adventure and joined the Marines with a childhood friend. She went to Paris Island for boot camp and then was stationed at Camp Lejeune, where she worked for the military police. During this time, she met Robert "Bobby" Fortner because he got a traffic ticket on the base. They dated while on base and eventually got married. They moved to Columbus, where he was from, and they started a family. They built a home in a new development in the NE part of Columbus and raised their 4 children. They eventually divorced, but she still worked hard to raise her kids. Donna was an original member of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church.

Donna was blessed with a long and wonderful life, and we are all the better for her being our mom. We will miss her.

Please come back soon for service details.