Obituary of Donna Van Elzen

Van Elzen, Donna Leslie Donna Leslie Van Elzen, 54, of Buchanan went home to be with the Lord, Friday, April 25, 2014. She was preceded in death by her parents, Robert (Bob) and Janet Riley Leslie, and her grandparents, John and Irene Riley. Donna was a 1977 graduate of Lord Botetourt High School where she was a member of the Kazoo Band. She was a devoted wife and mother, and an active advocate for Autism Awareness. Surviving are her husband of 26 years, Patrick J. Van Elzen, Sr.; daughter, Chelsea R. Van Elzen; son, Patrick J. Van Elzen, Jr.; brothers, Robert L. Leslie, Jr. and wife Nan, and John A. Leslie; father in law and mother in law, Dennis F. and Norma C. Van Elzen; sister in law, Nancy V. Offenstein and husband Pete; and numerous nieces and nephews. In lieu of flowers the family requests that memorials be made to the Blue Ridge Achievement and Autism Center, 3212 Whitwell Drive Roanoke, Virginia 24019. Funeral services will be conducted 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 29, 2014 at Simpson Funeral Home, 5160 Peters Creek Road, Roanoke by Dr. Darryl G. Crim. A graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. in the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery Dublin, Va. The family will receive friends from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. Monday at Simpson Funeral Home. 366-0707