Gerald Albert Donnelly

01/29/1927

03/25/2021

Memorial Contributions

Father Fred Foundation

826 Hastings St.

Traverse City, MI 49686

or

http://fatherfred.org/

or

Spectrum Health Hospice

 100 Michigan St. SE

Grand Rapids, MI 49503

or

http://spectrumhealthfoundation.org/tributegiving

Gerald A. Donnelly, age 94 of Grand Rapids, MI, formerly Elk Rapids, MI passed away on March 24, 2021. He was born on January 29, 1927 in Peoria, IL to Ralph and Margaret (Grow) Donnelly. He was preceded in death by his wife of 70 years, Marilyn Rita (Knight) Donnelly on February 28, 2021; brothers, Jack (Jane) and Jim (Mary) Donnelly; and sister, Colleen (Gene) Eakle. Jerry will be lovingly remembered by daughters, Kathy (John) Maxson, Karen (Rod) Pelton, Diane (Greg) Schuster, Maureen Rodriguez; son, Tom (Kira) Donnelly; grandchildren, Beth, Ben, Emily, Chrissy, Jonathan, Kate, Lauren, Ali, Rafael, Brianna, Collin, Evan; 16 great-grandchildren with two more on the way; and many nieces and nephews. Jerry served in the US Navy during World War II. He began his sales career selling adding machines for the Burrough’s Corporation in Peoria, IL. He later went to work at Steelcase, Inc selling office furniture. He had a very successful career in sales and sales management. He was there for 26 years in various Midwest locations retiring as senior vice president in 1991. Jerry enjoyed travel, bridge, tennis, golf, water skiing, and boating. He and Marilyn enjoyed many happy years of retirement splitting their time between Elk Lake in MI and Sarasota, FL. His grandchildren will always remember the endless hours he spent driving the boat for their water skiing and tubing fun. In 2015 they returned to Grand Rapids to live at Cook Valley Estates where shooting pool with his son became Jerry’s favorite pastime. Mass of Christian Burial will be held 2:00 PM Monday, March 29, 2021 at St. Robert of Newminster, 6477 Ada Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301. Family will greet visitors one-hour prior. Rev. Leonard Sudlik presiding. Masks and social distancing will be required. Mass will be livestreamed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjbiWwNNu_U  Contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to Father Fred Foundation, 826 Hastings St., Traverse City, MI 49686 or http://fatherfred.org/ or Spectrum Health Hospice at 100 Michigan St. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503 or http://spectrumhealthfoundation.org/tributegiving

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One Response

  1. We especially enjoyed their New Year’s eve parties – also playing bridge with Marilyn in our neighborhood bridge group. They were a fun couple and very good neighbors. With much sympathy!

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