John W. Donahue

John W. ""Jack"" Donahue

John W. Donahue was born on February 9, 1919 in Dwight, Illinois to John J. Donahue and Anna A. Christensen and passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 28, 2009 at Our Lady of Angels. Preceded in death by his wife Frances I. (nee Evetz) Donahue; parents and sister Mary W. Donahue. Survived by his daughter Mary C. (Wayne) Barnett and son John M. (late Janet) Donahue Sr.; six grandchildren Christina Barnett, D.V.M., Elizabeth (Carl) Schreiber, John M. (Laura) Donahue Jr., Mark (Nancy) Donahue, Jason (Angela) Donahue and Christopher Donahue and great-grandson Benjamin Donahue. Also survived by numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. Graduated Joliet Catholic High School in 1936, and Joliet Junior College in 1938. Received Juris Doctorate with honors from John Marshall Law School in 1970 and was employed by John Marshall Law School as a Law Professor from 1970-1975. Was awarded the Order of John Marshall and Who"s Who in American Colleges and Universities. He was president of his law school class for 3 years and was president of The Gavel Society and associate Editor of The Law Review. He was employed by Country Companies Insurance from 1957-1989, serving as Claims Attorney. While in school, he was editor of an article on Recalcitrant Defendants which was published in The Law Review in 1970. He served in the U.S. Army Air Corps as a navigator on a B-24 in the Eighth Air Force in England. He attained the rank of First Lieutenant and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Air Medal, Presidental Unit Citation and European Theatre Medal. He was a member of the Will County, State, and American Bar Associations. Past President and Treasurer of the Joliet Noon Lions Club. Member of the VFW Post 367 and American Legion Post 1080. Member of the Joliet Moose Lodge. The family would like to extend their gratitude to Our Lady of Angels and Joliet Area Community Hospice for the loving care they extended. In lieu of flowers, donations in John"s name to St. Jude"s Childrens Research Hospital would be appreciated.

From where services will be held on Friday, July 31, 2009 at 9:30 AM to St. Mary Nativity Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM. Interment at Resurrection Cemetery in Romeoville. Visitation will be on Thursday from 4-8 PM.