John E. Donovan

John Ernest “Jack” Donovan, 74, died peacefully on Friday, December 20, 2019, in Columbia, Mo. Born on November 3, 1945, in Streator, Ill., to Helen (nee Masching) and Ernest Donovan. Jack was the second-oldest child in a large, close-knit farming family. He was an alumnus of Southern Illinois University, where he received his Bachelor’s degree, and Illinois State University, where he received two Masters degrees. He taught English and theatre in Pontiac, Ill., before becoming a guidance counselor. Jack met his wife, Judith, while acting in a community theatre play in Danville, Ill., and were wed in March of 1982.

In 1989, Jack and his family relocated to Columbia, Mo. He worked briefly as a guidance counselor at Bunceton School System and then Fulton High School before taking a position at Simonsen Ninth Grade Center in Jefferson City, Mo. He remained a guidance counselor until his retirement in 2010. In his retirement, Jack sang with the Boonslick Chordbusters and worked part time at Helmi’s Gardens in Columbia, Mo.

Jack was at one time a Master Gardener; he had a knack for bringing seemingly dead plants back to life. There was never a volunteer maple sapling that he did not want to grow into a great tree with bright, fall colors. Jack was also a discerning collector, and he loved to scour flea markets, antique malls, auctions, and estate sales for things he found beautiful and what he considered a “good deal.” Jack and his wife enjoyed travelling in their retirement, including China, Peru, England, Germany, and Italy. He spent many Christmas holidays with his wife and daughter in Sanibel, Florida, at Christmas, to escape the cold Missouri winters. Most of all, Jack loved spending time with his large family and his close friends.

He is survived by his wife, Judith Donovan (nee Allen), daughter Tricia Donovan, and stepson Aaron Kirk and daughter-in-law, Ann Kirk. He is also survived by his brothers and sisters and their families: Judith (Terry) Maguire, Kathleen (Rod) Paolini, Elaine (Randy) Sommer, Karen (Donita Duffee) Donovan, Marge (David) Roach, William (Mary) Donovan, Timothy (Lori) Donovan, Mary (Greg) Zappa, Jeannie (Joe) Rasmussen), James Donovan, and 28 nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his wife’s family: sisters Barbara Turman and Teresa (Ron) Allen, and brother William (Renee) Allen, and their children.

A memorial service will be held at Memorial Funeral Home in Columbia, Mo, on Sunday, December 29, 2019. Visitation begins at 12 pm, and the service will begin at 1:30pm. A reception will be held afterwards. Memorial Funeral Home is located at 1217 Business Loop 70 W, Columbia, Mo, 65202.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in memory of Jack Donovan at the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center in Columbia, Mo.