Donna M. (Mourning) Conard, 71, of Oxford, formerly of Lafayette, Ind., died after an extended illness, at 6:03 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2011 at Indiana University – Arnett Health in Lafayette.

She was born Aug. 28, 1939 in Lafayette to the late Alva R. Mourning and Marie D. (Watkins) Mourning, who survives. She was a 1957 graduate of Lafayette Jefferson High School.

Mrs. Conard was a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and enjoyed listening online to the Eternal Gospel Fellowship Church in West Lafayette. She taught vacation Bible school at the Oak Harbor Church in Washington and was a longtime leader of their Sabbath School for children. She and her husband started the church version of the Cub and Boy Scouts called the Beavers and Pathfinders, which was incorporated nationwide throughout the Seventh-day Adventist churches. They also lead the Sea Explorers of America, an ocean version of the Boy Scouts.

She enjoyed reading her Bible daily, music and singing. She was very creative and often wrote poetry and children’s stories.

Surviving with her mother are her children, Cindy Conard of Lafayette, Perry Elliott (wife: Karan) of Lafayette, Steve Conard (wife: Liz) of Bothel, Catherine Raines (husband: Jason) of Fowler, Tom Conard (companion: Cristie) of Lafayette, Jerry Conard (wife: Michelle) of Oxford, Bill Conard (wife: Michele) of Abingdon, Maryland, Joe Conard (wife: Kayla) of Attica and Christine Watt (husband: Chris) of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a sister, Barbara Amos (husband: John) of Lafayette and a brother, Bill Mourning (wife: Jenny) of Tierra Verde, Florida. Also surviving are her grandchildren, Johnny, Jerome, Zachary, Jackson, Stephanie, Samantha, Tori, Celenia, Jerry, Ethan, Thomas, Kassandra, Jacob, Moses and Kaitlyn and her great-grandchildren, Payton, Blake and Autumn. They lovingly called her Oma.

Preceding her in death with her father is a niece, Colby (Mourning) Kesoyan and a nephew, Tyler Mourning.

Mom loved being a housewife, doing the baking, cooking and raising her nine children. She was always willing to help other children in need, letting them stay with her family and treating them as her own. She was loving, selfless, never judging and always made time for you no matter how busy she was. She found the best in everyone. Mom truly was the heart of the family. Her favorite quote was “you can do anything you put your mind to.” She will be greatly missed.

Friends will be received from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m., Saturday, June 25, 2011, at the home of her niece Vicki Pearl, 3926 West 750 North, West Lafayette, Ind. 47906 to celebrate Donna’s life over some of her favorite dishes.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the IU Health Hospice.