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Celebrating the Life of Donna Jane Smith Cockerill

DonnaJaneSmithCockerill_WorthingtonFuneralHome

©Worthington Funeral Home

On June 29, 2025, surrounded by her beloved family at home in Rushville, Illinois, Donna Jane Smith Cockerill passed away peacefully. She was 87 years old, a woman of grace, grit, and an endless capacity for love.

Born on July 31, 1937, near Apple Pie Ridge in Bluffs, Illinois, Donna was the daughter of Paul B. and Evelyn Marie (Little) Smith. A bright student, she graduated as the Valedictorian of the 1955 class at Bluffs High School. Soon after, she moved to Champaign to work at the University of Illinois Department of Agriculture, where fate introduced her to Vernon L. Cockerill, a fellow Bluffs native and veterinary student. The two began carpooling home together on weekends—car rides that soon turned into a lifelong partnership. They were married on June 2, 1956, at the U of I Chapel.

Their journey took them first to Springfield, and in 1958, they settled in Rushville, where they bought a veterinary practice. Together, they built two successful businesses: Schuyler Animal Hospital and Schuyler Laboratories, Inc., the latter growing into an internationally known manufacturer of swine nutritional products. Donna, ever the heart of the operation, managed the company with warmth and integrity, treating each employee as extended family. After Vernon’s passing in 1982, Donna continued to lead with determination before eventually selling the business.

Donna’s life revolved around the people she loved most. She is survived by her four daughters: Robin C. Glenn (El Reno, OK), Debra (Kent) Allen (Jacksonville, IL), Geri (Fred) Ringenberg (Rushville, IL), and Jill Cockerill (Piedmont, MO). Her legacy also lives on through her many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even great-great-grandchildren—generations touched by her love, humor, and deep sense of family.

She adored being called “Aunt Sug” by nieces and nephews and held a special place in her heart for her brother-in-law, Leland Littig. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers, four sisters, and one great-granddaughter, Sophia Sherrod.

Donna had a zest for life that never waned. Her happiest years, she would say, began at age forty when she discovered her passion for horseback trail riding. Whether riding with her girls at the Paul Findley Trail Ride or attending the August Cross Country Trail Ride in Eminence, MO, her love for the outdoors was undeniable. Her Uncle Clarence once teased, “Donna, you bounce so much on that horse we could put a fat hog between you and the saddle!”

She poured her heart into her home and community. Donna hosted the Little Family Golf Tournament for 15 years and kept the tradition of reunion alive, drawing over 100 relatives annually. Her place in the Sugar Grove neighborhood, purchased in 2005, became her sanctuary—a place filled with flowers, horses, deer, and deep contentment.

Donna was also a woman of strong faith and service. A proud member of Sugar Grove United Methodist Church, she was active throughout Rushville—organizing benefits, community events, and even a peaceful horseback sit-in to protest the closure of Weinberg King State Park. She was known for her hospitality, her legendary cooking, and a basement that served as a haven for teenagers, young adults, and international veterinarians alike.

She was a charter member of the Schuyler Singers, a deaconess at First Presbyterian Church, a Chamber of Commerce member, and a regular at bridge club, lunch gatherings, and cinnamon roll coffee dates at Roger’s Bakery.

Donna Jane Smith Cockerill led a life defined by love, service, laughter, and fierce dedication to family and community. She will be deeply missed and fondly remembered.

A Celebration of Life will be held at Sugar Grove United Methodist Church on Thursday, July 3, 2025, at 12:00 PM, with Pastor Charla Meyers officiating. Visitation will precede the service from 10:00 AM to noon at the church.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Sugar Grove United Methodist Church or the Rushville Saddle Club—two places that were close to Donna’s heart.

Information provided by Worthington Funeral Home.

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July 9, 2025, Ruidoso Downs

“We want to start this morning by saying thank you to all those that have reached out and checked in on our property, team, members and animals.

Due to the severity of the flood waters, we are currently assessing all damage to best determine next steps. Safety is our top priority and what we will focus on today as we work towards a plan.

We will continue to post on social media and our website as details come available.

Our thoughts & prayers are with all those affected and serve as a reminder that we are stronger together. #ruidosostrong”

Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA)

In partnership with the Oklahoma Quarter Horse Racing Association (OQHRA), all Oklahoma racetracks—Remington Park, Fair Meadows at Tulsa, and Will Rogers Downs—have announced expanded hair testing measures for the 2026 Quarter Horse, Paint, and Appaloosa race meets. While pre-entry hair testing has been a condition of entry since 2018, the updated policy builds on that foundation by introducing new layers of accountability and a unified approach across all tracks.

“We are expanding our integrity efforts and working to hold everyone accountable for the horses in their care,” said Krissy Bamberg, Executive Director of OQHRA. “This is a collective effort among all Oklahoma tracks to protect the integrity of the sport and the welfare of the horse.”

The 2026 updates include a new provision that will exclude any trainer from participating at Oklahoma tracks for the remainder of a meet if three or more horses in their care test positive through official pre-entry hair tests for any prohibited substance. In addition, any owner with three or more positive tests during the meet will also be deemed ineligible to participate for the remainder of that meet.

Another upgrade to the policy is the expansion of unofficial testing. This informational hair-testing option will be available beginning with the fall yearling sales. These test kits can be requested through OQHRA. The hair samples can be collected by the owner or trainer and submitted to the lab for testing; results of these unofficial tests will not be considered official for entry purposes, but they will allow owners or trainers who have acquired horses from other barns to voluntarily test them in advance of entry to ensure they are clear of prohibited substances. It offers peace of mind, particularly before making financial commitments such as nomination fees, training investments, or early race preparations. It is important to note that many Sale Companies offer hair testing as a buyer protection within 24 hours of the sale; buyers are encouraged to contact the sales companies about the options available.

“Integrity is the backbone of everything we do,” said Matt Vance, Executive Vice President at Remington Park. “These policies help preserve the integrity of the sport by holding those who choose not to play by the rules accountable. We are proud to work with other Oklahoma tracks and OQHRA to lead the way in promoting fair competition in Quarter Horse racing.”

The core hair testing requirement remains in place: every Quarter Horse, Paint, or Appaloosa must submit to a one-time, pre-entry hair test before starting at any Oklahoma track. Official test results are sent directly to the racetrack, and positive results will lead to exclusion for the duration of that meet. These exclusions are track-specific only and do not constitute regulatory suspensions; participants remain eligible at other tracks unless a separate jurisdiction elects to take action. All horses with official positive tests will be listed publicly at www.OQHRA.com, and test results may be shared with other jurisdictions upon request.

To make the process easier for horsemen, farm visits for hair testing will be available in January and early February for Oklahoma-based trainers with 40 or more horses.

All details of the 2026 hair testing policy, including the unofficial testing option, are available at www.OQHRA.com or by calling (405) 881-5120.

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The Ruidoso, New Mexico community and Ruidoso Downs Racetrack have once again been devastated by flash flooding on July 8, 2025. Updates will be posted as they become available. 

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