John Jacob "Jake" Donnellan (1906-2004)

DONNELLAN, STARK, YOUNGBLOOD, WILBORNE

Posted By: Dorian Myhre (email)
Date: 6/3/2014 at 22:59:31

From Nevada Journal October 28, 2004

J.J. (Jake) Donnellan

J.J. (Jake) Donnellan, 97, long time resident of Nevada passed away Thursday evening, October 21, 2004 at Story County Long Term Care in Nevada.

Jake was born October 28, 1906 in Kelley, Iowa the son of James and Mae Lula (Stark) Donnellan. He graduated from Greenfield High School and attended Iowa State University. Jake married Ruth Marie Doane on August 29, 1929 in Greenfield, Iowa. He moved to Nevada with his wife, Marie, in 1931. He was in the lumber business in Nevada for over 50 years having closed the Davis and Donnellan Lumber Company in 1988.

Jake served three years in the U.S. Army in the South Pacific during WW II where he received a Purple Heart.

Jake was very involved in the Nevada community. He was a member of the Memorial Lutheran Church since 1934. He was a life time member of the Nevada Rotary Club; he received the Rotary Hall of Fame Award and the Paul Harris Fellow award. He was also a life time member of the Indian Creek Country Club. He has been president for both groups. Jake was president of the Nevada Community Club (now called the Nevada Chamber of Commerce). He was very active in the Iowa Lumber Dealers Associating, serving on the board and as president.

Jake is survived by his son, Lee J. Donnellan of Des Moines and Steven J. Donnellan (wife Sue) of Muncie, Indiana; his grandchildren, Chris J. Donnellan (wife Amy) of Memphis, TN and Sara J. Youngblood (husband, Chris) of Muncie, Indiana; a great grandson, Blake; and a sister, Geniza Wilborne of Greenfield, Iowa.

Jake is preceded in death by his parents and his wife Marie on November 15, 1981.

Graveside services were held on Monday, October 25 at the Nevada Municipal Cemetery with Pastor Myron D. Herzberg officiating. Memorials may be sent in Jake's name to the Memorial Lutheran Church in Nevada.

Arrangements were entrusted to Chet Ryan Mortuary in Nevada.