George E. Donnelly

George Edward Donnelly, 93, of Springfield, died at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center. George was born April 9, 1920 in Springfield, the son of Oswald J. and Esther Boyd Donnelly. He married Victoria Kanosky on July 20, 1957 in Gilman; she preceded him in death on January 6, 2008. George was a graduate of Springfield High School and worked at Illinois Bell Telephone Company. He started as a lineman, entered the service, then returned to Illinois Bell and worked there over 40 years retiring as plant foreman. George proudly served his country in the United States Army from 1943-1946 in New Guinea and the Philippines. He was awarded a Purple Heart and earned three campaign bronze stars. George had been active with Friends of Jacksonville, Illinois League of Advocates for the Developmentally Disabled. He was also a member of Illinois Bell Telephone Pioneers and Kiwanis Club. George enjoyed gardening and keeping in communication with his siblings and family. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one brother, David Donnelly. George is survived by one son, Timothy J. Donnelly; four siblings, Evelyn Mellinger and Frank Donnelly, both of Springfield, Joan Finney of Portland, Oregon, and Patricia (husband, Dr. Chauncey) Cross of Springfield; one sister-in-law, Eva Jo Donnelly of Jefferson City, Missouri; three nieces, Mary Donnelly Bilmeyer, Sarah Donnelly Crenshaw, and Susan Donnelly; six nephews, Blake Donnelly, Micah Hamley, Joel Hamley, Brian Cross, David Cross, and Rob Cross; and eighteen great-nieces and nephews. Visitation and Liturgy of the Word: Family will receive friends from 9:30-10:45 a.m. on Friday, July 26, 2013 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos Ave., Springfield. Liturgy of the Word will follow at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: St. Patrick's School, 1800 South Grand Ave. East, Springfield, IL 62703, Boys and Girls Club of Springfield, 300 S. 15th St., Springfield, IL 62703, or Concordia Lutheran Village, 4101 W. Iles Avenue, Springfield, IL 62711.