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Donna Thomas BANKARD
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Obituary
Donna Thomas Bankard
SPRINGFIELD - Donna Thomas Bankard, 69, of Springfield passed away on Wednesday, October 31, 2012, at her home. She was the beloved mother, grandmother, sister, friend and Registered Nurse in Springfield for over 30 years. She was born on October 30, 1943, in St. Louis, Missouri, the daughter of William Thomas and Naomi Viesselman.
A graduate of Presbyterian St. Luke's in Chicago and University of St. Francis, she worked at the Springfield Clinic, St. John's Hospital and Memorial Medical Center.
She is survived by her daughter, Kathy Switzer; granddaughter, Megan; son-in-law, Paul; mother, Naomi Viesselman; stepmother, Julie Thomas; sister, Jill Thomas; and brothers, Tom, Scott, Kelly and Jack Thomas.
A memorial service will be held at Wilson Park Funeral Home in Rochester on Tuesday, November 6, 2012. at 6:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the American Heart Association in her name.
Please visit our obituaries at www.wilsonparkfuner-alhome.com.
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The Sangamon County coroner's office said Thursday that a 69-year-old woman found dead
inside of her burning duplex Wednesday morning died before the fire began.
An autopsy indicated Donna Bankard died of "natural causes"prior to the fire breaking out
around 6 a.m. at 3609 Troon Drive, a news release from Coroner Cinda Edwards said.
The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Springfield Fire Chief Ken Fustin said Wednesday the small blaze was contained to the living
room. The fire caused no damage to the home’s exterior and was extinguished in about 15
minutes, he said.
One firefighter injured his knee when he fell through a hole in the floor, but did not require
medical treatment, Fustin said.
Kevin Norris, who lives in the other side of the duplex, said he moved into the unit about a
month ago and didn't know the woman very well.
He said he woke up about 6 a.m. Wednesday and smelled smoke. He said he didn't know where it
was coming from until two people walking through the neighborhood alerted him.
They knocked on the woman’s door, but nobody answered, he said. One of the men kicked in the
door, which caused a thick cloud of smoke to burst out. There was no response inside, he said.
Norris called the incident a tragic accident.
“It doesn't seem like there was anything suspicious,” he said.
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