McDonnell, Virgil B. "Mac" 1924-2009

MCDONNELL, BARTON, HANNA

Posted By: Ernie Braida (email)
Date: 1/11/2010 at 15:11:10

Virgil Berns “Mac” McDonnell, 85, of Des Moines, formerly of Knoxville, passed away on Friday, November 20, 2009, at University Park Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Des Moines.

A memorial service with military honors will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 23, 2009, at Williams Funeral Home with Pastor Brent Hanna. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the service with the services concluding at the funeral home. Private family interment will be held at a later date.

Mac was born on March 3, 1924, in Lucas County Iowa to Virgil D. and Violet (Barton) McDonnell.

He grew up in Newburn, Iowa and graduated from Chariton High School. After high school Mac enlisted into the United States Army where he served as a radio operator in the invasion at Omaha Beach. He received a Bronze Star and Purple Heart from injuries sustained during combat during W.W.II. He was honorably discharged and returned home to Knoxville on December 19, 1945.

On August 18, 1946, he married Janice Hanna in Knoxville.

He worked at several different places in Knoxville until they moved to Des Moines where he worked at Barton Solvents for 34 years as a route salesman. Upon his retirement he and Janice traveled around the United States and enjoyed wintering in Texas and Arizona. He loved to hunt especially pheasant hunting; he also enjoyed boating and fishing. Mac was a member of the V.F.W.

Mac is survived by his wife of 63 years, Janice McDonnell, of Des Moines, two sons, Terrance (Diana) McDonnell of Fort Worth, TX; and Richard (Mary) McDonnell of Clive, IA; six grandchildren, six great grandchildren, one sister Darlene Brown of Duluth, MN.

Mac was preceded in death by his parents.

Williams Funeral Home Nov. 2009