John was the fifth of seven children born to John Calvin and Emma Amelia Stoner Donecker. His initials match his father's, though his middle name is derived from the Pennsylvania county in which he was born.
Following the untimely death of his father in October 1899, John was one of three of his six siblings fostered away from home. John was eligible to attend Girard College, a residential preparatory school for orphaned boys in Philadelphia. John would attend from January 1903 until his graduation in January 1911. He would return home to Lancaster for holidays, some weekends, and summer breaks via train. John developed, lifelong friendships with many of his classmates and a strong bond to his alma mater, GC.
John began work with the Pennsylvania Railroad as a stenographer at the Broad Street Station soon after graduation in February 1911. He was a third generation "Pennsy", or PRR, employee. In addition to his father's and grandfather's earlier service, several Donecker uncles also worked for the PRR in Philadelphia. John advanced to a clerk position within the Office of the Vice-President of Operations in June 1912. John's brothers soon joined him in the railroad industry, Older brother Paul worked for the Reading Railroad and younger brother Dick began employment with the PRR in 1916. John had a break in employment between Oct 1917 and August 1919 for military service during the Great War (WW I).
In 1916, John's mother, Emma, sister, Helen, and brother Richard relocated to Philadelphia from Lancaster. His brother Paul, all ready in Philadelphia, joined John and the others to reside at 5946 Webster Street (West Philadelphia). The Donecker family, except sister Milly, were reunited under one roof again. In the Spring of 1917, they made the fateful decision to join the First Reformed Church in Philadelphia.
In 1917, John pre-empted his being drafted into the military by volunteering for service with the newly formed 21st Regiment Engineers (Light Railway) of the American Expeditionary Force. He traveled on his own to Camp Grant in Illinois to offer his services after his boss at the Pennsylvania Railroad had "networked" to open the opportunity. Sergeant Major Donecker left US soil on December 26, 1917 and served within the Headquarters Division of the 21st Engineers in northern France (Lorraine). His outfit was responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of light railway used to supply the front lines. John served as clerk for the Colonel and as such did not see any combat action. At the conclusion of the war in 1918, he attended University of London (School of Economics) in England for several months as part of a special program. He returned to the States and was honorably discharged in July 1919.
John returned to employment as a clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad in August 1919, first with the Federal Manager and later with the V.P. of the Eastern Region. Upon return to civilian life, John became deeply involved in the First Reformed Church. He served on several committees, was involved with the Sunday School and the Young People's Association (YPA). The YPA had regular gatherings, organized trips, activities and over time produced multiple drama/musical performances. Both John and his brother, Richard/Dick, were active in the YPA. It was here that they would also each meet their future brides.
John would wed Adeline Elizabeth Amanda Rosander, aka Peggy or Addie, on October 6, 1923 at the First Reformed Church, 50th & Locust Streets, Philadelphia. John's brother, Dick was Best Man and Ruth Kershner, Peggy's best friend, was Maid of Honor. The newlyweds would embark on a three-week rail trip across the United States and Canada for their honeymoon. They had a house built in Mount Holly, New Jersey; and moved into 418 Buttonwood Street in 1924. John would commute by several trains to and from Philadelphia for work each day. The neighbors said they could set their watches by John's walk to the Mount Holly train station each morning and his return walk each evening.
John left employment with the PRR in 1924 when he was sought out to fill the position as Secretary to the President of Girard College, his high school alma mater. His physical resemblance to Stephan Girard led to him serving as the model for Girard murals (1929) in Founder's Hall on the school's campus. By 1932, John's title was advanced to Assistant to the President. Part of his duties included troubleshooting student concerns, as well as, issuing off-campus passes/leaves to the students.
John and Peggy had two children. Donald Arthur Donecker was born at home on February 8, 1925. His sister, Ruth Elinor Donecker, was also born at home three years later on February 11. Peggy would make many of their clothes, becoming more and more adept with her sewing skills. All were regularly involved with the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly. John and Peggy served in the choir, Sunday School and various committees. The children would attend local schools through graduation from Mount Holly (Rancocas Valley Regional) High School in 1943, and 1946, respectively.
The Doneckers got their first car in 1938. The salesman gave them both driving lessons as neither of them had driven before, John was 44, Peggy was 36.
During WW II, John held volunteer Civil Defense positions as an Air Raid Warden and plane spotter. His son Don held a series of jobs after graduation until landing a position with the federal government's War Production Board, Chemicals Bureau, in Washington, D. C. He held this position for just a few months until the end of World War II and his own illness forced him to return home in August 1945. He was diagnosed and battled, but eventually succumbed to cancer in May 1946 at age 21.
Ruth would continue her education at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. She joined her father in a daily train commute to school and back for a few years. She graduated in 1950, found work in Philadelphia, married in 1951, and had the first of five children in 1952 (four boys, 1 girl 1952-1963).
In August 1945, Peggy was also dealing with medical issues. Rheumatic fever as a child had left her with a heart condition. The discovery of lumps had led to a double mastectomy in August of 1945. Peggy did recover but her health was challenged. John and Peggy relocated to Collingswood, NJ in 1951, thus reducing John's daily commute (and time away from home), as well as being closer to Cooper Hospital, in Camden, NJ, where Peggy's doctors were based. John suffered a mild heart attack in 1953. Peggy would pass away the next year of heart failure in June 1954, she was 51.
John's work at Girard College continued. He was honored for his service by dedications in yearbooks of 1939 and 1964. "He's kind, above board, he's efficiency plus…" …"cheerful friendliness and sincere faith in our abilities will remain a happy memory for us all." In 1950, he was recognized with many other Girard alumni in a publication, Mighty Masters, for their varied accomplishments and contributions to society. In 1958, he was recognized with the Alumni Award of Merit. Four years later, John was bestowed with the prestigious Stephen Girard Award by the Alumni Association. Recognized for his "outstanding qualifications in his chosen field of activity reflect credit and honor upon Girard College."
The year 1966 marked 42 years of service to GC (after 11 years with PRR and 2 years of military service!) John "retired," though continued working as Assistant to the President. He passed away on the Ben Franklin Bridge while commuting to work on March 15, 1967. From The Steel and Garnet, the GC newsletter, after his passing, "John C. Donecker, whose small frame bore so very well the great weight of a very big heart, has been taken from us.
cod: ruptured aortic abdominal aneurysm (Pa. Death Certificate, John Chester Donecker. 17 Mar 1967. 29470-67.5658)
Patralineage: John Calvin, Christian Donecker, Johann Georg Danneker
07 Mar 2024
John was the fifth of seven children born to John Calvin and Emma Amelia Stoner Donecker. His initials match his father's, though his middle name is derived from the Pennsylvania county in which he was born.
Following the untimely death of his father in October 1899, John was one of three of his six siblings fostered away from home. John was eligible to attend Girard College, a residential preparatory school for orphaned boys in Philadelphia. John would attend from January 1903 until his graduation in January 1911. He would return home to Lancaster for holidays, some weekends, and summer breaks via train. John developed, lifelong friendships with many of his classmates and a strong bond to his alma mater, GC.
John began work with the Pennsylvania Railroad as a stenographer at the Broad Street Station soon after graduation in February 1911. He was a third generation "Pennsy", or PRR, employee. In addition to his father's and grandfather's earlier service, several Donecker uncles also worked for the PRR in Philadelphia. John advanced to a clerk position within the Office of the Vice-President of Operations in June 1912. John's brothers soon joined him in the railroad industry, Older brother Paul worked for the Reading Railroad and younger brother Dick began employment with the PRR in 1916. John had a break in employment between Oct 1917 and August 1919 for military service during the Great War (WW I).
In 1916, John's mother, Emma, sister, Helen, and brother Richard relocated to Philadelphia from Lancaster. His brother Paul, all ready in Philadelphia, joined John and the others to reside at 5946 Webster Street (West Philadelphia). The Donecker family, except sister Milly, were reunited under one roof again. In the Spring of 1917, they made the fateful decision to join the First Reformed Church in Philadelphia.
In 1917, John pre-empted his being drafted into the military by volunteering for service with the newly formed 21st Regiment Engineers (Light Railway) of the American Expeditionary Force. He traveled on his own to Camp Grant in Illinois to offer his services after his boss at the Pennsylvania Railroad had "networked" to open the opportunity. Sergeant Major Donecker left US soil on December 26, 1917 and served within the Headquarters Division of the 21st Engineers in northern France (Lorraine). His outfit was responsible for construction, operation and maintenance of light railway used to supply the front lines. John served as clerk for the Colonel and as such did not see any combat action. At the conclusion of the war in 1918, he attended University of London (School of Economics) in England for several months as part of a special program. He returned to the States and was honorably discharged in July 1919.
John returned to employment as a clerk for the Pennsylvania Railroad in August 1919, first with the Federal Manager and later with the V.P. of the Eastern Region. Upon return to civilian life, John became deeply involved in the First Reformed Church. He served on several committees, was involved with the Sunday School and the Young People's Association (YPA). The YPA had regular gatherings, organized trips, activities and over time produced multiple drama/musical performances. Both John and his brother, Richard/Dick, were active in the YPA. It was here that they would also each meet their future brides.
John would wed Adeline Elizabeth Amanda Rosander, aka Peggy or Addie, on October 6, 1923 at the First Reformed Church, 50th & Locust Streets, Philadelphia. John's brother, Dick was Best Man and Ruth Kershner, Peggy's best friend, was Maid of Honor. The newlyweds would embark on a three-week rail trip across the United States and Canada for their honeymoon. They had a house built in Mount Holly, New Jersey; and moved into 418 Buttonwood Street in 1924. John would commute by several trains to and from Philadelphia for work each day. The neighbors said they could set their watches by John's walk to the Mount Holly train station each morning and his return walk each evening.
John left employment with the PRR in 1924 when he was sought out to fill the position as Secretary to the President of Girard College, his high school alma mater. His physical resemblance to Stephan Girard led to him serving as the model for Girard murals (1929) in Founder's Hall on the school's campus. By 1932, John's title was advanced to Assistant to the President. Part of his duties included troubleshooting student concerns, as well as, issuing off-campus passes/leaves to the students.
John and Peggy had two children. Donald Arthur Donecker was born at home on February 8, 1925. His sister, Ruth Elinor Donecker, was also born at home three years later on February 11. Peggy would make many of their clothes, becoming more and more adept with her sewing skills. All were regularly involved with the First Presbyterian Church of Mount Holly. John and Peggy served in the choir, Sunday School and various committees. The children would attend local schools through graduation from Mount Holly (Rancocas Valley Regional) High School in 1943, and 1946, respectively.
The Doneckers got their first car in 1938. The salesman gave them both driving lessons as neither of them had driven before, John was 44, Peggy was 36.
During WW II, John held volunteer Civil Defense positions as an Air Raid Warden and plane spotter. His son Don held a series of jobs after graduation until landing a position with the federal government's War Production Board, Chemicals Bureau, in Washington, D. C. He held this position for just a few months until the end of World War II and his own illness forced him to return home in August 1945. He was diagnosed and battled, but eventually succumbed to cancer in May 1946 at age 21.
Ruth would continue her education at Moore College of Art in Philadelphia. She joined her father in a daily train commute to school and back for a few years. She graduated in 1950, found work in Philadelphia, married in 1951, and had the first of five children in 1952 (four boys, 1 girl 1952-1963).
In August 1945, Peggy was also dealing with medical issues. Rheumatic fever as a child had left her with a heart condition. The discovery of lumps had led to a double mastectomy in August of 1945. Peggy did recover but her health was challenged. John and Peggy relocated to Collingswood, NJ in 1951, thus reducing John's daily commute (and time away from home), as well as being closer to Cooper Hospital, in Camden, NJ, where Peggy's doctors were based. John suffered a mild heart attack in 1953. Peggy would pass away the next year of heart failure in June 1954, she was 51.
John's work at Girard College continued. He was honored for his service by dedications in yearbooks of 1939 and 1964. "He's kind, above board, he's efficiency plus…" …"cheerful friendliness and sincere faith in our abilities will remain a happy memory for us all." In 1950, he was recognized with many other Girard alumni in a publication, Mighty Masters, for their varied accomplishments and contributions to society. In 1958, he was recognized with the Alumni Award of Merit. Four years later, John was bestowed with the prestigious Stephen Girard Award by the Alumni Association. Recognized for his "outstanding qualifications in his chosen field of activity reflect credit and honor upon Girard College."
The year 1966 marked 42 years of service to GC (after 11 years with PRR and 2 years of military service!) John "retired," though continued working as Assistant to the President. He passed away on the Ben Franklin Bridge while commuting to work on March 15, 1967. From The Steel and Garnet, the GC newsletter, after his passing, "John C. Donecker, whose small frame bore so very well the great weight of a very big heart, has been taken from us.
cod: ruptured aortic abdominal aneurysm (Pa. Death Certificate, John Chester Donecker. 17 Mar 1967. 29470-67.5658)
Patralineage: John Calvin, Christian Donecker, Johann Georg Danneker
07 Mar 2024
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