Hamden woman Donna Sue Eberts McCorkle dies at 84

Donna Sue Eberts McCorkle’s life stayed close to Hamden, the town where she was born, raised and later died at age 84 at her daughter’s home. Her story ran through the institutions that hold a small county together, from Hamden High School and the Vinton County Auditor’s Office to Eberts Construction and Care Outreach in McArthur.

McCorkle was born April 19, 1942, in Hamden to Donald M. Eberts and Frances L. Wiseman Eberts. She graduated from Hamden High School in 1960 and was part of the Hamden Engineers as both a majorette and cheerleader, a detail that places her in the school traditions many longtime residents still remember. Her work life remained local as well. She served as deputy auditor for Vinton County, secretary for Eberts Construction and treasurer for C.A.R.E. United Methodist Outreach, keeping her tied to the county’s public offices, family business circles and service networks.

That final role linked McCorkle to one of Vinton County’s important human-services organizations. C.A.R.E. United Methodist Outreach, based at 395 E High St. in McArthur, is described in nonprofit records as a church auxiliary that supplies money, goods or services to the poor. A Points of Light profile says the organization enlisted more than 175 volunteers to meet needs across the county. In a place that remains the least populous county in Ohio, with 12,800 residents in the 2020 census, that kind of volunteer-backed support forms part of the safety net many families depend on. Hamden itself was incorporated as a village in 1876, giving McCorkle’s life story a long local arc.

Family remained at the center of her life. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Cara Dawn and William Wellman, along with two grandchildren, siblings, nieces, nephews and extended family. Earlier family notices also identified her as the wife of the late Olen G. McCorkle, who died in 2019, and listed their children Timothy McCorkle and Cara Wellman, grandchildren Tiffany McCorkle, Braden Wellman and Bailey Wellman, and great-grandchild Malinda McCorkle. The family also expressed gratitude for the care provided by Advanced Hospice of Portsmouth and others who helped her.

Calling hours are set for Tuesday, June 2, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at McWilliams Funeral Home in Wellston. Funeral services will follow Wednesday, June 3, at 1 p.m., with burial at Hamden Cemetery, 669 S. Main St. in Hamden, closing a life that remained woven into the county’s schools, offices, churches and volunteer work.