Obituary for Jerry Donnelly
Jerry M. Donnelly peacefully passed away Tuesday, May 9th, 2023. He was born February 25th, 1940, to Gerald and Vella Donnelly in Wichita, Kansas.
Following graduation from West High School, Wichita, KS in 1957, he married Annetta Stephens on May 27th, 1961, and together they built a beautiful life with four children. He thoroughly enjoyed his work as an engineer, he retired from Case New Holland in 2002, where he spent 27 years as a manufacturing engineer. After Jerry and the family ventured life in California, Colorado, and Nebraska, they settled back home to their roots here in Wichita Ks.
Jerry enjoyed many activities with some of his favorites being woodworking, fishing, camping, traveling and most of all creating memories with family. He was an avid fly fisherman where he became an active member of the Wichita Flatland Fly Fishers. Him and Annetta enjoyed many adventures in their travels, from trips to Alaska, to trips to Ireland, and many more. In their travels there was never a missed opportunity to bring the family along. He enjoyed many things; however, what he cherished and loved the most was being a husband, a dad, a grandpa and a great grandpa.
Jerry had a great sense of humor where he always had a way of lightening any situation whether it was with his infectious laughter, his tall tales or his positive outlook. He had an uncanny way of connecting with people, and he never met a stranger. He lived his life as a man of faith and built his legacy through his love for family.
He was proceeded in death by his father, and mother Gerald and Vella Donnelly, and his sister Vella Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Annetta; son, John Curtis (Summer), daughters, Denise (Bradley) Mills, Michelle (Curtis) Cuda and Lisa (Brian) Schawe; grandchildren Whitney, Bryce, Courteney, Ashley, Cameron (CJ), Cory, Caleb, Hayley, Brett, Katelyn, and 10 great grandchildren, and brother, James Donnelly.
Viewing is 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Monday, May 15th at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. Service is 1:00 pm Tuesday at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1820 E Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67214 and/or Rickman’s Spanish Mustangs, Heritage Horses of Oklahoma, 2015 E 1990 Road, Soper Oklahoma, 74759.
Following graduation from West High School, Wichita, KS in 1957, he married Annetta Stephens on May 27th, 1961, and together they built a beautiful life with four children. He thoroughly enjoyed his work as an engineer, he retired from Case New Holland in 2002, where he spent 27 years as a manufacturing engineer. After Jerry and the family ventured life in California, Colorado, and Nebraska, they settled back home to their roots here in Wichita Ks.
Jerry enjoyed many activities with some of his favorites being woodworking, fishing, camping, traveling and most of all creating memories with family. He was an avid fly fisherman where he became an active member of the Wichita Flatland Fly Fishers. Him and Annetta enjoyed many adventures in their travels, from trips to Alaska, to trips to Ireland, and many more. In their travels there was never a missed opportunity to bring the family along. He enjoyed many things; however, what he cherished and loved the most was being a husband, a dad, a grandpa and a great grandpa.
Jerry had a great sense of humor where he always had a way of lightening any situation whether it was with his infectious laughter, his tall tales or his positive outlook. He had an uncanny way of connecting with people, and he never met a stranger. He lived his life as a man of faith and built his legacy through his love for family.
He was proceeded in death by his father, and mother Gerald and Vella Donnelly, and his sister Vella Mitchell.
He is survived by his wife of 62 years, Annetta; son, John Curtis (Summer), daughters, Denise (Bradley) Mills, Michelle (Curtis) Cuda and Lisa (Brian) Schawe; grandchildren Whitney, Bryce, Courteney, Ashley, Cameron (CJ), Cory, Caleb, Hayley, Brett, Katelyn, and 10 great grandchildren, and brother, James Donnelly.
Viewing is 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm Monday, May 15th at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. Service is 1:00 pm Tuesday at Culbertson-Smith Mortuary. Memorials may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association, 1820 E Douglas Ave. Wichita, KS 67214 and/or Rickman’s Spanish Mustangs, Heritage Horses of Oklahoma, 2015 E 1990 Road, Soper Oklahoma, 74759.