Annabelle “Dolly” Dankenbring

A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date.

Annabelle “Dolly” Dankenbring, nee Guinzy, 95, of Collinsville, IL., born January 3, 1928, died peacefully surrounded by family on a sunny Saturday afternoon, March 4, 2023, Addington Place, Collinsville, IL.

Annabelle lost her father at age 1 and her mother at age 3.  Her sister, Priscilla Combetto, who was 16 years older, offered to raise her.  Because Annabelle was small and cute like a doll, Priscilla gave her the nickname of “Dolly.”  Priscilla eventually had 2 daughters of her own, Joyce Fitzgerald and Joan Kotarba, who Dolly regarded as younger sisters.

Dolly was a resident of Collinsville her entire life.  She was a proud member of the Collinsville “FBI” (Full Blooded Italians) and lover of Bagna Cauda and red wine.  Dolly was also a successful real estate agent, entrepreneur, and world traveler.  She was always the life of the party, and rarely met a stranger.  Her uproarious laughter could light up a room.

Dolly was the epitome of “small but mighty.”  Her stature and wisdom eventually led to Dolly’s family nickname of “Grandma Yoda.”  On her passing, we can say that Grandma Yoda is now one with the Force.

Dolly was preceded in death by her husband Robert A Dankenbring (1991); son Stephen R Dankenbring (1976); son-in-law Charles Cloin, Jr (2021); parents, Edward and Mary, nee Borgetti, Guinzy; four brothers, Edward, Stephen, Angelo, and Victor Guinzy; sister, Priscilla Combetto.

Surviving are her daughters, Vicki (Tony Garner) Cloin and Juli (Ken) Gulledge; sons, Scott (Terri) Dankenbring and Drake (Celia) Dankenbring; grandchildren, Bill (Tina) Cloin, Scott (Jen) Cloin, Dawn (Michael Schmidt) Dankenbring, Stephanie (Alex Heepke) Dankenbring, Jason (Jenny Toje) Gulledge, Robert (Mikkah Kennedy) Gulledge, Johana Ruiz, Martell Ruiz; great-grandchildren Madelina Cloin, Elliana Cloin, Aidan Cloin, Carter Schmidt, Grant Schmidt, Harrison Heepke, and Hayes Heepke.

Dolly was a devout Catholic and a member of SS Peter and Paul Parish in Collinsville.  She attended SS Peter and Paul grade school as a child where her children and grandchildren also attended. Two of her great-grandchildren are currently enrolled in preschool there.  Though she never went to college, Dolly was thrilled to participate in Saint Louis University School of Medicine’s post-mortem “Gift of Body” program, as she finally “will get to go to a University.”

Donations in memory of Annabelle “Dolly” Dankenbring can be made through Kassly Funeral home (Collinsville) to:

• SS Peter and Paul School
• Stephen Dankenbring Award fund at SIU-E
• Elliana Cloin’s Healthcare
  • Donations can be made directly at https://cota.org/campaigns/COTAforElliana
  • Or checks can be made to Bill Cloin for deposit into Elliana's fund.

Service: A Celebration of Life will be held by the family at a later date.

Kassly-Meridith Funeral Home, Collinsville, IL.