MARTIN ALOYSIUS DONOVAN was the son of Maurice and Mary Ellen Shanahan Donovan. He was born on December 11, 1894, in Otter Creek, Iowa. His father was 45 and his mother was 34 at the time of his birth.
Martin joined the military in 1917 during WWI. At the time, he resided at the YMCA in Dubuque, IA, and was employed as a chauffeur. His physical description is medium height, slender, blue eyes, and dark hair.
Martin married Frances Ellen Weaver on May 31, 1922, in Lansing, Michigan. They had seven children in 12 years. He died on April 10, 1987, in Lansing, Michigan, at the age of 92, and was buried there.
Martin and Frances’ children:
- Martin A. Donovan Jr.
- Madelyne Donovan Holoweiko
- Rosellen Donovan
- Robert Donovan
- Lawrence Donovan
- Patricia Donovan Higley
- Thomas Donovan
Martin, possibly 1917 when he registered in the military at 22 years old.
From Cascade Pioneer, April 16, 1987, page 7, column 6
Martin Donovan, 92, of Mesa, Arizona, and formerly of Garryowen and Lansing, Michigan; died Friday April 10th, 1987 Funeral services were held at Resurrection Church, Lansing, with Bishop Paul V. Donovan officiating. Interment was in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Lansing, Mich. He is survived by his wife Myrtle, three daughters, Mrs. Mike Haloweiko, Mrs. Dick Higley, Lansing, Michigan; Rose Ellen Donovan, Oceanside, California, four sons, Martin, New Orleans, La.; Robert, Las Vegas, Nevada; Thomas, Los Angeles, Ca ; and Lawrence of Lansing, Michigan, twenty-eight grandchildren and seventeen great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Francis, his parents Maurice and Mary Ellen Donovan; his brothers, Richard, John, Mossie (Maurice) and Connie (Cornelius), his sisters, Rose Barrett and Josie Finn. (transcribed by Joseph Cahill)
