Darrell Donnelly

Darrell G. Donnelly Darrell Gordon Duke Donnelly, of Topeka, KS, formerly of Wayside and Neodesha, died Saturday, August 25, 2007, at the home of his niece in Topeka, KS. He was 90. The son of Louis H. and Pearl E. Hodges Donnelly Sr., he was born September 28, 1916, in Wayside, KS. He graduated from Wayside High School in 1933 and then attended the University of Kansas, graduating in 1941 with a Bachelor of Science in education degree. He later received his Masters Degree in History and American Government from Colorado State Teachers College in 1953. Mr. Donnelly earned the equivalent of a Masters Degree in Personnel and Guidance in 1965 by attending summer school at Kansas State University, Wichita State University and Pittsburg State University. He taught several years in Montgomery County schools and at Mullinville Rural High School. From 1945 to 1980, he taught world history, American government psychology, sociology and career classes at Neodesha High School. He was also a guidance counselor from 1960 until his retirement. While employed at NHS, he was head advisor for the junior class for 33 years and helped reestablish the Junior-Senior Prom. He was also was actively involved with the NHS athletic department, serving as the official basketball scorekeeper, operating the pole vault event at local track meets, crowning the football and basketball royalty and writing sports articles for the newspapers. He was a sponsor of the Senior Hi-Y from 1946-1960. While attending the University of Kansas, Darrell was a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Phi Delta Kappa honorary educational fraternity. He was also a member of the First Christian Church at Wayside and Neodesha for more than 60 years, a member of the Neodesha Lions Club and the Kansas and National Education Association. He was an organizing member of the Neodesha NEA. He was also a member and past president of the Southeast Kansas Personnel and Guidance Association. He also served on the W.A. Rankin Memorial Library Board. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, September 8, 2007, at the First Christian Church under the direction of Penwell-Gabel Loran Fawcett Chapel. Interment will be held at 1 p.m. in Harrisonville Cemetery west of Independence. Friends may call to register and view Thursday, Sept.6 from 8-5 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 7, from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. on Friday. Survivors include nephews Robert and Darrell Spayd, both of Topeka, Rick and Philip Donnelly, both of Arizona; nieces Suzanne Watkins and Donna Lightell, both of Topeka, and Dixie Donnelly of Arizona; and his extended family, the Harveys. He is preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Louis and Vernon Donnelly; and one sister, Lila Donnelly Spayd. Memorial contributions may be made to the Neodesha Alumni Association Scholarship Fund, the Wayside Christian Church or the First Christian Church of Neodesha and may be left at the funeral home. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.PenwellGabel.com.