GERALD B. DONOVAN is the son of Maurice (Mossie) and Rachel Shannon Donovan. He was born on September 4, 1914, in Garryowen, Jackson County, Iowa.
He married Doris Bechen on April 6, 1937.
They had twelve children:
- Janice Donovan Smith
- Mary Jo Donovan Weiland
- Judy Donovan Hoffmann
- Christine Donovan Murphy
- Debbie Donovan Beaves
- Kelly Donovan
- Kim Donovan Becker
- Dave D. Donovan
- Mike J. Donovan
- Dennis M. Donovan
- Kevin P. Donovan
- James G. Donovan (1937-1975)
Gerald passed away on January 30, 1989. Doris passed away on April 15, 2017. They are buried at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Dubuque, Iowa.
From the February 1, 1989, edition of the Telegraph Herald, Dubuque, Iowa
Gerald B. Donovan
Services for Gerald B. Donovan, 74, of 1731 University Ave., will be at 11 am Thursday at Nativity Church.
Burial will be in Mount Calvary Cemetery. Friends may call until 9 pm Wednesday at Behr Funeral Home, 1491 Main St., where the wake service will be said at 7 pm.
Mr. Donovan worked at Artistic Cleaners many years before he retired.
He was born Sept. 4, 1914, at Garryowen, rural Bernard, Iowa, son of Maurice and Rachael (Shannon) Donovan. He died at 11:15 pm Monday, Jan. 30, 1989, at Manor Care Nursing Center of natural causes.
He married Doris Bechen on April 6, 1937, in Dubuque; she survives.
He was a member of the Nativity Rosary Society and General Drivers Local 421.
Also surviving are seven daughters, Mrs. Ronald (Janice) Smith, Mrs. James (Mary Jo) Weiland, Mrs. Herbert (Judy) Hoffmann, Mrs. Pat (Christine) Murphy, Mrs. Ted (Debbie) Beaves and Kelly, all of Dubuque, and Mrs. A.J. (Kim) Becker of East Dubuque, Ill.; four sons, Dave N., Mike J., Dennis M. and Kevin P., all of Dubuque; 21 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren; two sisters, Mrs. William (Ethel) Feeney of Mesa, Ariz., and Mrs. Kathleen Kane of Dubuque; and four brothers, Ray of Bernard, Leo and William, both of Dubuque, and Al of Albuquerque, N.M.
A son, James, died Dec. 16, 1975.
A Gerald B. Donovan Memorial Fund has been established.
