Joseph O'Donnell Obituary

Dr. Joseph Robert O'Donnell, a longtime family physician and friend to all, was known for his quick wit, humor and twinkling blue eyes. Surrounded by his family, he died Monday at home, from complications of old age. He was 92. Joseph was born in Casper, Wyoming, July 6, 1917, but lived in many places as the family moved back to Chicago and Louisville, KY. Joe and his sister lived with relatives in Huntington, IN, some summers as the family struggled through the Depression. Reuniting in Chicago, his family saw him graduate from Senn High School in 1934. His father, a medical doctor, urged him to pursue his interests as he attended Wright Jr. College, Central YMCA College, and the University of Illinois College of Medicine in Chicago, working many odd jobs such as elevator operator, steel mill worker, movie usher, and dissector at the U. of I. He interned at St. Francis Hospital, Evanston, then beginning an illustrious career as a family physician that included delivering thousands of babies. He enlisted in the US Navy, March 26, 1939, but was given a deferment until his medical training was complete. In June of 1943, he began active duty, departing for Florida to meet his ship. To the surprise of the crew, the ship was not ready! Joe used this opportunity to have his fiancee, Eunice Thoendel, to meet him in Tampa and get married! A quick honeymoonand Joseph was off to the South Pacific war theater, returning in 1944. He completed a postgrad in neuropsychiatry at University of Pennsylvania and the Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois, and then settled into family practice in Glen Ellyn, becoming well-known in the community as a truly caring doctor. He was on the staff at Elmhurst Memorial Hospital from 1946-1990, and Central DuPage Hospital, was acting president at both hospitals, and very active in the DuPage and Illinois State Medical Societies and the American Medical Association. His interests were many and varied from Wheaton Drama Club, where he starred in many plays, to bowling and bridge clubs. Long-time member of Glen Ellyn Rotary Club. After his wife died in 1983, Joseph was fortunate to find a new mate and he married Mary Joanne Merkel. They were active in various volunteer activities, onating public health service to an Indian reservation in Washington State and the People's Resource Center in Wheaton, and time and energy to the St. Vincent DePaul Society. They were honored to become members of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. They were able to travel frequently, spending a great deal of time in St. Thomas, VI, where Joseph engaged in one of his favorite pastimes, painting. His friends were blessed with his famous annual Christmas cards and vacation cards. He loved to sail his boat, Sunshine, and to fly his Cessna plane, George. He would often gaze wistfully at a small plane on a sunny day and say, "Lucky Duck." It's his honor to fly now. He is survived by his wife of 25 years, Mary Joanne O'Donnell, his children, Steven Joseph O'Donnell, Lynne O'Donnell, and Laurel O'Donnell Kiburg (Jan); his grandchildren, Reed (Adriana) O'Donnell, Erin (Sean) Kiely, Megan (Chris Hart) and Corey O'Donnell, Brendan, Nicole, Brian, and Natalie Kiburg; and his great-grandchildren, Ryan O'Donnell, Caroline and Harper Kiely, Kelis and Carter O'Donnell-Hart. Preceded in death by John (the late Peggy) O'Donnell, Ruth (the late Bob) Kearns and Ellen (Joe) O'Donnell. Visitation Wednesday, April 21, 2010 from 3-9 p.m., at Knollcrest Funeral Home, 1500 S. Meyers Rd (3 blks S of Roosevelt), Lombard. Funeral Thursday, 8:45 a.m. from the funeral home to Ascension of Our Lord Church. 9:30 Mass. Interment St. Joseph Cemetery. Kindly omit flowers. Memorials to Franciscan School of Theology, 1712 Euclid Ave, Berkeley, CA 94709 or the charity of your choice are appreciated. Info: 630-932-1500.