Donna (Swango) Mustread was born on January 29,1933 in Smithfield, IL to Willis and Julia (Buford) Swango. She had two brothers, Willis Swango Jr. and Billie D. (Shirley) Swango, and one sister, Mary (Lindall) Paul. Donna graduated from Smithfield High School where she was a member of the marching band and cheerleading squad. After high school, she ventured to the big city of Peoria to live with friends and work at Caterpillar as an office assistant. Donna returned to Smithfield to marry William Robert “Bob” Mustread on September 13, 1952. Since Bob was in the Air Force and stationed in Great Falls, Montana, Donna joined him there. When Bob was discharged, they returned to Smithfield where they would raise a family – William Robert Mustread Jr. (Dawn), Debra Kay Martindale (Bob), Mark Mustread, and Bruce Mustread (Jackie).
Donna’s great love was her family. Donna had 12 grandchildren all of whom she adored – Jerry (Lisa) Nunn, Robin Smith, Marlow (Don) Willett, Chad (Victoria Flaming) Peitzmeier, Annie (Derek) Kolbus, Jenn (John) Beckman, Keith (Vlada) Wilkey, Robbie Mustresd, William Robert (Courtney) Mustread III, Josh (Cydney) Mustread, Abby (Josh) Gee, and Wyatt (Madison) Mustread. She was blessed with 22 great grandchildren and six great-great grandchildren. She was able to hold or see each one before she died. Donna also had many nieces and nephews whom she loved.
Donna continued to work after her children were in school. She was a secretary for the Fulton County Farm Bureau, retiring after 25 years of service. Until the last three years, Donna was very active in her home and community. She was a member of the Brock United Methodist Church in Smithfield, serving on several committees there. She was an Election Board member and served as an election judge. She served as the Clerk for Cass Township and Treasurer for the Red Brick School for many years, retiring from those positions well after her 80th birthday. She served on the Fulton County Fair Board, judging the baking contests for several years. Donna was an excellent cook and loved to bake. People knew her as the Noodle and Apple Dumpling Lady at the RBS and Scenic Drive. After eating one of her home-baked pies, no other could compare.
Donna loved to crochet and made afghans that she gave as gifts to new babies and newlyweds. You were blessed to have received one. Donna loved to cook and make crafts with her grandchildren; she also painted and sewed. One of her favorite past-times was gardening, and she continued to mow her own yard until her 90th summer. Donna and her husband loved to include their family in different adventures, including boating, raising hogs and ice skating. They made an in-ground pool at their Smithfield home. Donna opened that pool to the entire community, and it brought Donna a lot of joy, It was the place to have family barbeques in summer. Donna’s community pool is where many people learned to swim, and she kept the pool open until she was 91.
Donna will be greatly missed by her family, her friends and her community. She was a bright and beautiful person in many people’s lives.
Funeral services will be held at 11am Monday March 16, 2026 at Henry-Lange Memorial Home in Cuba with Pastor Ellen Dodd officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to services and burial will be in Baughman Cemetery at Smithfield. Memorial contributions may be made to the Red Brick School in Smithfield.
