Donna Reed

Birth Name: Donna Bell/Belle Mullenger

Date of Birth: January 27, 1921

Place of Birth: Denison, Crawford, Iowa, United States

Date of Death: January 14, 1986

Place of Death: Beverly Hills, California, U.S.

Ethnicity: English, German, Scottish, Irish

Donna Reed was an American actress and producer. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for From Here to Eternity (1953). Her roles also include the film It’s a Wonderful Life and television’s The Donna Reed Show and Dallas.

Donna was the daughter of Hazel Jane (Shives) and William Richard Mullenger. She was married to U.S. Army colonel, Grover Asmus, until her death. She had four children with her former husband, producer Tony Owen.

Donna’s paternal grandfather was William George Mullenger (the son of William Reform Mullenger and Mary Tyler). Donna’s grandfather William was born in Wisconsin. Donna’s great-grandfather William was born in London, England, the son of George Mullenger and Mary Stanley. Donna’s great-grandmother Mary was also English, the daughter of Peter Temple Tyler and Sara Anderson.

Donna’s paternal grandmother was Mary Ann Johnston (the daughter of Richard Bartley Johnston and Elizabeth Herner). Mary Ann was born in Illinois. Richard was the son of John Johnston and Jane Murphy. Elizabeth was the daughter of Canadian parents, George Herner and Sarah Sherk.

Donna’s maternal grandfather was Charles Shives (the son of Charles Alexander Shives and Annalila Elizabeth Coffin). Donna’s grandfather Charles was born in Illinois. Donna’s great-grandfather Charles was the son of Johan Phillip Shive and Katharine/Catherine Fink. Annalila was the daughter of William Coffin and Anna Swain.

Donna’s maternal grandmother was Mary Etta Petty (the daughter of William Henry Petty and Sarah Jane Hoyt). Mary was born in Illinois. William was the son of Edward Petty and Mary Laughery. Sarah was the daughter of Tillman Knox Hoyt and Sarah W. Bailey.

Source: Genealogy of Donna Reed – https://www.findagrave.com