David Donnelly

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- David Henry Donnelly, 87, of Jefferson City died Saturday, Sept. 10, 2011, at Parc Provence in St. Louis.

He was born Jan. 9, 1924, in Mason City, Ill., son of Oswald J. and Esther S. Boyd Donnelly. He and Eva Jo Schmidt were married July 27, 1952, in Springfield, Ill.

David served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a communications chief in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was awarded six Bronze Stars.

He graduated cum laude from the University of Illinois with a degree in engineering management. He was employed in production and management with the Pillsbury Co. 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 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 First United Methodist Church; was a founding member of Capital Region Medical Center Foundation; was instrumental in the first capital fund campaign to build the first YMCA and later served as chairman of the board of directors of the YMCA.

He was a member and past president of Jefferson City Area Chamber of Commerce; past chairman of 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 Hospice of Jefferson City; was a past chairman of the board of Salvation Army; and was a proud member of Jefferson City Rotary Club.

David was appointed by Gov. Kit Bond to the board of curators at Lincoln University during Bond's term in office.

He had great pride and pleasure in mentoring children at Thorpe Gordon Elementary School 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, Mary D. Billmeyer and husband Craig of Cape Girardeau; four grandchildren, David W. Crenshaw and wife Molly, Rachel K. Crenshaw, Andrew M. Billmeyer, Allison J. Billmeyer; five brothers and sisters, Evelyn Mellinger, George Donnelly, Frank Donnelly, Joan Finney, Patricia Cross and husband Dr. Chauncey Cross, all of Springfield, Ill.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Visitation will be from 5 to 7 p.m. today at Freeman Mortuary in Jefferson City.

The funeral will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church, with the Rev. Daniel Hilty and the Rev. Mark Dumas officiating. Private graveside service and entombment with military honors will be conducted at the mausoleum in Riverview Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to First United Methodist Church or Capital Region Hospital Foundation.

Leave messages for the family at www.freemanmortuary.com.