Donna Marie (Cranford) Lashinis, 87, went to meet her heavenly Father and earthly loved ones on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
She was born on August 27, 1938, to Roy Cranford and Nettie Marie (Davis) Cranford. She lived in La Porte all her life, attended and graduated from La Porte High School in 1957. After graduating, she worked at the US Slicing Machine Company, then went on to the Whirlpool Corporation and worked in the Blueprint department of both industries.
On June 4, 1960, she became the loving wife of Thomas Joseph Lashinis, who survives. She proudly became the devoted mother of Thomas Lashinis Jr, Michael (Janet) Lashinis, and Lori (Scott) Bolles. She is also survived by her precious granddaughters, Amanda (Michael) Reider, Paige (Gabe) Struss, Madelyn (Austin) Tarpley, Alyssa (Jeremy) Beshears, Angela (Seth) Max and grandson, Nathan Bolles; 10 great-grandchildren; sisters, Cathie (Steven) Timmis, and Janice Cranford; a niece, Jennifer Timmis; and a nephew, Nicholas (Jenna) Timmis.
After the children went off to school, she rejoined the workforce and worked at Lenicks Dairy, Garwood Orchards, and then joined the County Treasurer's Office, where she worked for 20 years until retirement in 1999.
Donna loved gardening, canning, cleaning, and traveling on short trips with friends, and especially spending as much time with her family, and mainly her great-grandbabies. The highlight of her memories was the family vacations to the Wisconsin Dells. She had a sweet spot in her heart for all the stray animals, especially cats and dogs. Her main love was her pet kitty, Joey.
She was a member of Holy Family Parish, St. Joseph Church.
Visitation will be held from 10 AM to 12 PM on Friday, May 1, 2026, at Frank L. Keszei Funeral Home, Essling Chapel, 1117 Indiana Avenue, La Porte, Indiana, where a Memorial Service will follow the visitation at 12 PM (Noon) with Reverend Nate Edquist officiating.
Burial will follow at Pine Lake Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Women’s Care Center, the La Porte County Animal Control & Jane Bernard Animal Adoption Center.
To light a virtual candle, share a memory of Donna’s life, or offer words of comfort to her family, please visit esslingfuneralhome.com.
