Obit: Donovan, Hugh J. (1926 - 2013)

Contact: Linda Mertens

Email: mertens@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Donovan, Schwanz, Baker, Ortlieb, Davis, Olson

----Source - Private Collection

Hugh J. Donovan (9 Aug 1926 – 25 Sep 2013)

Hugh J. Donovan, 87, of Marshfield, died on Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at Ministry St. Joseph’s Hospital in Marshfield.

Memorial services will be at 1 p.m. on Saturday, September 28, 2013 at the Rembs Funeral Home with Pastor Chris A. Schwanz officiating. Burial will be in Hillside Cemetery with military rites conducted by American Legion Post # 54 of Marshfield.

Hugh was born in Escanaba, MI on August 9, 1926 to Frank and Mildred (Baker) Donovan. As a young boy, his family moved to Milwaukee and he graduated from Custer High School in 1945. After his education, he served in the United States Army during World War II from July 27, 1945 until his honorable discharge on November 13, 1946. When he was discharged, he moved to Dorchester, WI where he was employed as a cheese maker.

On September 1, 1951 he was united in marriage to Joyce J. Ortlieb at the Holway Lutheran Church in Taylor County, WI. In 1954 he became an indentured plumber for the Abbotsford Hardware Co. Then in 1964 he started the Marshfield Plumbing and Heating, Inc. where he retired from in 1985.

Hugh was active in the Marshfield Lion Club, Masonic Lodge #224 where he served as Master of The Lodge and was chairman of the Central Wisconsin Apprentice committee. He taught night classes at Mid-State Technical College for isometric drawing.

Hugh is lovingly survived by is wife, Joyce, daughter, Debra (Rick) Davis of Marshfield, two grandchildren, Jason (Cassie) Davis of Menasha and Heather (Shawn) Olson of Marshfield and one great-granddaughter, Alisha Olson.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a sister, Elizabeth Donovan.