David Donnelly (Veteran)

Mr. David Henry Donnelly, age 87 years, of Jefferson City, Mo., died Saturday, September 10, 2011, at Parc Provence in St. Louis, Mo. David was born January 9, 1924, in Mason City, Ill., the son of Oswald J. and Esther S. Boyd Donnelly. He was married on July 27, 1952 in Springfield, Ill., to Eva Jo Schmidt. He served in the United States Army Air Corps as a communications chief in New Guinea and the Philippines and was awarded six bronze stars. David graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering management. He was employed in production and management for the Pillsbury Company in Minnesota, Illinois, and Ohio. In 1966, he became employed with Chesebrough-Ponds and was the plant manager of the Chesebrough-Ponds Plant in Jefferson City. He retired in 1989. After retirement, he co-founded the Pathways Group, Inc., a consulting firm. David was an active volunteer in Jefferson City and cared deeply about the community. He was a member and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the First United Methodist Church; was a founding member of the Capital Region Medical Center Foundation; was instrumental in the first capital fund campaign to build the first Y.M.C.A. and later served as chairman of the board of directors of the Y.M.C.A.; was member and past president of the Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce; was a past chairman of the Jefferson City Area United Way; served on the Board of Directors of Jefferson Bank; served as a counselor for the Mid-Missouri Chapter of SCORE; was the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Hospice of Jefferson City; was a past chairman of the board of Salvation Army; and was a proud member of the Jefferson City Rotary Club. David was appointed by Governor Christopher Bond to the Board of Curators at Lincoln University during Governor Bond's term in office. David had great pride and pleasure in mentoring children at Thorpe Gordon Elementary School for many years. He enjoyed his basement workshop and playing golf. He also enjoyed family time at his home at the Lake of the Ozarks. Survivors include: his wife of 59 years, Eva Jo Donnelly; two daughters, Sarah K. Crenshaw of Jefferson City, Mo. and Mary D. Billmeyer and her husband Craig of Cape Girardeau, Mo.; four grandchildren, David W. Crenshaw and his wife Molly, Rachel K. Crenshaw, Andrew M. Billmeyer, and Allison J. Billmeyer; five brothers and sisters, Evelyn Mellinger, George Donnelly, Frank Donnelly, Joan Finney, and Patricia Cross and her husband Dr. Chauncey Cross, all of Springfield, Ill. He was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be at Freeman Mortuary from 5:00 until 7:00 p.m., Friday, September 16, 2011. Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m., Saturday, September 17, 2011, at the First United Methodist Church with the Reverend Daniel Hilty and the Reverend Mark Dumas officiating. Private graveside services and entombment with military honors will be conducted at the Mausoleum of Riverview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to the First United Methodist Church or the Capital Region Hospital Foundation. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Freeman Mortuary. www.freemanmortuary.com