Donna J. Shaner

Donna Jean (Stapleton) Shaner

May 17, 1963 – May 6, 2026

Donna Jean (Stapleton) Shaner, 62, of Reading, passed away peacefully in her daughter's home on May 6, 2026. She courageously battled breast cancer for nearly four years. She was preceded in death by her husband David D. Shaner Jr. who passed away in March 2007.

Donna was born on May 17, 1963 to the late Elwood Stapleton and Dianne (Cerniglia) Millisock. She dedicated her life to caring for others as a certified nursing assistant for over 43 years, first working for Genesis HealthCare and then Berks Heim where she retired 2 years ago. After retirement she took on her favorite role of being a full time Gram.

She is survived by her loving family – daughter Kathryn (Shaner) Gilbert, son-in-law Troy Gilbert Jr. and grandsons Lincoln and Spencer Gilbert of Reading; brother Randy Stapleton of Denver; aunt Sandra Lengel of Leesport; aunt Nancy (Stapleton) (Yeich) Hartman of Birdsboro; and a close knit extended family who loved her deeply – Andrea Stephens of Middletown, Robert and Sherri Shaner of Mohnton, Olivia Shaner and fiancé Alyssa Undheim of Shillington, Josephine Kopcik of Reading, and Brian Harris of Bernville.

She was predeceased by her brother Barry Stapleton, sister Brenda (Stapleton) Heck and step-daughter Lisa (Shaner) Harris.

Her daughter wants to give a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Nick Leasure at the McGlinn Cancer Institute for everything that he has done since her initial diagnosis, especially for providing treatment to allow Donna to meet and spend three months with her new grandson Spencer. Also, a big thank you to the Infusion Center nurses and staff who became our second family.

Celebration of Life Service will be held at Bean Funeral Homes & Cremation Services, 129 East Lancaster Ave. Shillington, Saturday, May 16, 2026 at 2:00 pm. Amy S. Landis, Celebrant, will officiate. Interment will be held at the convenience of the family. The family will receive relatives and friends at Bean Funeral Homes & Cremation Services Saturday from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be directed to Reading Hospital Foundation in support of the McGlinn Cancer Institute. Donations may be sent to Reading Hospital Foundation, P.O. Box 16052, Reading, PA 19612 or online at https://towerhealth.org/locations/reading-hospital/reading-hospital-foundation/make-gift.