Donna Jean Ericson (née Ronk), 79, passed away unexpectedly at her home in Moline, Illinois, on January 24, 2024. Born on November 27, 1944, to Earl and Elaine Ronk, she spent her early years in Moline, assisting her older siblings with newspaper deliveries and participating in household chores. A 1962 graduate of Moline High School, Donna was an enthusiastic cheerleader for the school's sports teams.
Donna's professional career included roles as a secretary at John Deere Plow and Planter, where she earned a corporate safety merit honor award for establishing a safety standard. She also worked for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Rock Island Arsenal, achieving a top 5% score on the Federal Application Exam. Her dedication to her family was paramount; she raised three children as a single mother before marrying Robert L. Ericson. The family's cherished memories include summer vacations in Minocqua, Wisconsin, where they enjoyed fishing, boating, and swimming on Tomahawk Lake. Donna took pride in restoring a century-old log lodge by the lake, ensuring a lasting legacy for future generations.
She is survived by her brothers, Tom and Ted Ronk; daughter, Tammy Kendall; daughter-in-law, Kammie Hillyer; grandchildren, Taelar Spindler and Reid Hillyer; great-grandson, Soren Spindler; and numerous nephews and nieces. Donna was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Sally Vaiana; brothers, Jack and Jim Ronk; sons, Anthony (Tony) and Chad Hillyer; and niece, Diana Ronk. A visitation was held on February 5, 2024, at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline, followed by interment at Moline Memorial Park.
Tragically, Donna's death was the result of a homicide. On the morning of January 24, 2024, Moline police discovered 55-year-old Steven Herring deceased in his home on 25th Avenue. Approximately an hour later, officers found Donna in her residence on 46th Street; both had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Investigations identified Donna's son, 55-year-old Chad Hillyer, as the primary suspect. Later that evening, authorities found Chad deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Coralville, Iowa. Autopsies confirmed that both Donna and Steven died from gunshot wounds to the chest. The Moline Police Department described the case as "large and complex," noting that forensic analyses could take several months to complete.
