Donnell Wilderness

SOUTH BEND, Ind. - Donnell Wilderness, 48, formerly of Lilbourn, Mo., died May 25, 2007, of an apparent heart attack.

Born Sept. 7, 1958, in Lilbourn, to Rose Wilderness Partee of Howardville and the late Lonnie Partee, he had lived in South Bend for 27 years. He was a 1978 graduate of Lilbourn High School and attended Lincoln University in Jefferson City. He was a member of the Pentecostal Cathedral Church of God in Christ and was a master carpenter.

In addition to his mother, survivors include: one son, Donnell Wilderness Jr. of South Bend; one daughter, Tekela Brown of Indianapolis; two brothers, Jerome Wilderness of Crown Point and Jedeary Wilderness of Lilbourn; three sisters, Betty Jean Green and Doris Partee of Columbus, Ohio, and Retha Wilderness of Howardville, Mo.; his maternal grandfather, Sam Avery of Portland, Ore., and one grandchild.

Visitation is from 11 a.m. until time of services at noon Saturday at Green Memorial Church of God in Christ in Sikeston with Frank Wilderness officiating.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery at New Madrid.

Williams Funeral Home of Howardville is in charge of arrangements.