First Sgt. Donald Grant Donovan, 73, of Brookville, KS, formerly of Decatur, IL, passed away Monday, June 25, 2018 in his home.

Memorial services will be held at St. Mary's Cemetery in Assumption, IL July 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m.  Memorials may be made to donor's choice.

Donnie was born in McLeansboro, IL September 26, 1944, the son of Donald Otis and Betty Grant (Shoemaker) Donovan.  After graduation from Mt. Zion High School, he worked for Wagner Casting.  Donnie enlisted in the Army September of 1965, basic training at Ft. Knox.  He later trained to be a paratrooper and served in Vietnam.  Donnie chose to make a career of the Army, serving in Germany and South Korea, ending his military service at Ft. Riley, KS.  In 2004 Donnie went to Iraq with KBR and later returned.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Jiamjit George; her 3 daughters: Katherine Kosch, Christina M. Smith and Nicollette George; sixteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren, all of Dubuque, IA; son, Donald Herschel Donovan of KY; sister, Joette (Jack) Vandevander of Decatur, IL; nieces: Lorie Laskowski of Argenta, IL and Karla Lamberto of Pasco WA; nephew, Chris Vandevander of Decatur, IL and great nieces and nephews: Karson, Konnor, Luke, Zachary, Rachel and Gabrielle.

Donnie was preceded in death by his parents and grandfather, Otis Daniel Donovan.

Donnie could not have imagined what his life would be like when he rode the horses at Trail Riders or slid down a landslide in the back yard on Glenwood Dr.  Falling in the creek and catching all kinds of animals while walking through the woods.  He got to see this world in war and in its beauty and peace.

He will be missed by all who knew and loved him.