Robert “Bob” O’Donnell - 84
6/15/1925 - 12/4/2009

DeKalb, IL - Robert “Bob” O’Donnell age 84 of DeKalb, IL died on Friday December 4, 2009 in the Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. Born on June 15, 1925 in St. Mary Hospital in DeKalb, Bob was one of the first babies to be born in the new hospital. He was the son of Thomas and Luella (Dugan) O’Donnell.

Bob went to school in a one room school house on Rich Road in DeKalb, and graduated from Malta High School, where he played basketball and baseball. He eventually played baseball for Malta, DeKalb, and Genoa Farm Teams. After high school Bob married his High School Sweet Heart, Margaret Stenholm on October 28, 1944 at St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb. He then went to work for Del Monte Food from 1946 to 1987 retiring as a Foreman. He had lived his entire life in the DeKalb community. Bob was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb and was an usher for many years. Bob served on the St. Mary Cemetery Committee for 10 years, and assisted in the opening of the new addition to the cemetery. He was a former member of the Eagles Club, and a member of the DeKalb Moose Lodge #586, and the Sycamore Elks Club #1392. He enjoyed golf, and played cards and showing card tricks, and was the former checker champion of DeKalb County.

Survivors include: Wife: Margaret of DeKalb, children: Marilyn (Russell) Smith of Dixon, Dennis (Donna) O’Donnell of Cortland, Thomas (Hilma Ruth) O’Donnell of Kingston, Rita Troeger of Rockford, David (Renee) O’Donnell of Sycamore, Patrick (Sherri) O’Donnell of Sycamore, grandchildren: Russell (Cathy) Smith Jr. of Sycamore, Kevin (Beth) Smith of Plainfield, Richard (Marsha) O’Donnell of Cortland, Ryan (Jolene) O’Donnell of Genoa, Renee (Richard) Amato of Sycamore, Caleb (Kristin) O’Donnell of Batavia, Paul O’Donnell of Kingston, Jonas O’Donnell of Kingston, Nathaniel O’Donnell of Kingston, Bradley (Tami) Troeger of Janesville, WI, Katie (Fiancé Travis Nickels) Troeger of Milwaukee, WI, Clark O’Donnell of Sycamore, Nicole O’Donnell of Sycamore, Tony O’Donnell of Sycamore, great-grandchildren: Alysa, Megan, and Connor Smith, Caleb, Shannon, and Trenton Smith, Mikayla and Cody O’Donnell, Megan, Jason, Jacob, and Caden O’Donnell, Kali, Jordan, Braden, and Zackary Troeger, great-great-grandson: Eli O’Donnell of Batavia, sisters: Charlene (Gerald) Latimer of DeKalb, Joan Donnelly of DeKalb, Mary Lou Raih of DeKalb, brothers: Edward (Dolly) O’Donnell of DeKalb, Cletus (Dona) O’Donnell of WI. Preceded in death by: parents, brother: Richard O’Donnell.

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday December 8, 2009 at 10:30 AM in the St. Mary Catholic Church in DeKalb with Father Kenneth officiating. Burial will be in St. Mary Catholic Cemetery in DeKalb on Saturday December 12, 2009 at 10:00AM. Visitation will be held on Monday December 7, 2009 at 4:00PM till 7:00PM with a Wake Service at 6:45PM in the funeral home. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the family to be established at a later date. To send an online condolence visit: www.ronanmoorefinch.com. Arrangements were entrusted to: Ronan-Moore-Finch Funeral Home 310 Oak St. DeKalb, IL, 60115.

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