PIERCETON — Donna Rae Rodriguez, 57, Barbee Lake, died at 12:56 p.m. Thursday, April 13, 2017, at her home. She was born Jan. 5, 1960, in Columbia City, a daughter of Reino A. and Sharon L. O’Brien Panula. Her formative years were spent in Columbia City. She graduated from Columbia City Joint High School and received her associate degree in nursing from Ivy Tech. From 1985 until 2006, she worked in various nursing homes in Warsaw, Syracuse and Columbia City as a LPN. On June 19, 2010, she married Herberto Rodriguez. They have always made their home at Barbee Lake. Surviving relatives include her husband, Herberto; two daughters, Brittani (Daren) Alber, Claypool, and Mikala Ellswood, North Webster; a grandson, Callan Alber; her mother, Sharon Brunner, Columbia City; her brother, Jeff (Amy) Brunner, Columbia City; three nephews and a niece: Austin Brunner, Tyler Brunner, Trey Williamson and Miranda Brunner; and her best friend, Sheila Sauntmon, Warsaw. Her father and stepfather, Frederick Brunner, preceded her in death. The funeral service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Smith & Sons Funeral Home, Columbia City, with visitation from 5 to 7 p.m. Tuesday. ***** Memorials to North Webster EMS or North Webster Fire Department. Condolences may be sent at www.smithandsonsfuneralhome.com.
