Patrick “Pat” Donovan

Patrick “Pat” Donovan, 81, of rural Peru, died peacefully on February 1, 2019 in Holy Family Medical Center in Des Plaines with his family by his side.

Funeral services will be 11:00 AM Saturday in the Hurst Funeral Home in La Salle with Rev. Donald Stalker officiating.  Burial will be in Fairview Cemetery in Tonica  with full military honors conducted by the La Salle/Oglesby Veteran’s Memorial Group.  Visitation will be 4 to 7:00 PM Friday and starting at 10:00 AM Saturday until time of services.

Pat was born on December 16,1937 to John L. and Marion (Weaver) Donovan. He was a 1955 graduate of Hall High School, where he participated in football, basketball and track.  He was a member of the 1953 Grid Squad that was undefeated and untied.  This team was recently inducted into Hall’s first Hall of Fame.  In track, Pat excelled in high jump and discus.  He attended LPO Junior College and then enlisted and proudly served in the United States Navy from 1957 until 1961.

Pat was first stationed in Newport, RI and then in Long Beach, CA.  He was a Yeoman aboard the destroyer, USS Fechteler and made three cruises to the Far East.  He married Marjorie Frederick on January 1, 1958 in Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Peru.  Returning from the service, Pat was a motor route driver for the Chicago Tribune for 35 years.  He also drove for the News Tribune.  Pat retired from Action Oil in 2008.  He enjoyed following local sports and Chicago sports, especially his beloved Chicago Bears and Cubs.

Pat was an avid bowler, participating in 31 American Bowling Congress Tournaments all over the United States.  He was a member of the Super Bowl 700 club, Ladd Lanes Bowler of the Year in 1986, Royal Lanes Bowler of the Year in 1987 and inducted into the Illinois Valley Bowling Hall of Fame in 1990.

Pat and Marjorie enjoyed traveling with their family and visited most of the states.  He also enjoyed playing cards.  He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church in rural Peru.

Pat will be sadly missed by his wife of 61 years, Marjorie; three daughters, Laurie (Carlton) Cessna of Gurnee, Amy (Brian) Grossklas of Park Ridge and Kathleen (Robert) Keller of Park Ridge; five grandchildren, Nathaniel Cessna, Emily, Mary, Robert Patrick and Annabelle Keller; brother-in-law Carl Sinder of Surprise, AZ, a nephew and many cousins.  

He is preceded in death by two sisters-in-law, Marilyn Sinder and Barbara Frederick.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the charity of the donor’s choice.  

Pallbearers will be Nathaniel Cessna, Robert Anderson, James Piano, Tom Piano, James Johnson, Jeff Bassett, James Sauter and James Bacidore.  Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Pommier, Charles Mercier, Raymond Sebastian, Henry Lushina and Keith Harvey
 

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