Paul C. DONELSON Dec. 1, 1918 -- Aug. 11, 2009 PALMYRA, Mo. -- Paul C. Donelson, 90, of Palmyra, died at 1:45 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 11, 2009) in the Maple Lawn Nursing Home in Palmyra. Paul was born Dec. 1, 1918, in Palmyra to Charles M. and Louisa W. Schaefer Donelson. He was baptized and confirmed at the Zion Lutheran Church in Palmyra. Paul was married to Rachel Ellen Robbins on Nov. 19, 1944, in the Fabius community. She died Nov. 20, 2003. He later married Vivian Peiter Drebes on May 27, 2006, in West Ely. She survives in the home. He graduated from Palmyra High School, where he participated in football and was a member of the "White Sweater" football teams. He was a Marine veteran of World War II. Also, he was an active member of the Boots-Dickson Post No. 174 of the American Legion. Mr. Donelson had sponsored bowling leagues at Pal Bowl in Palmyra. He enjoyed gardening, mowing and especially spending time with his grandchildren. Mr. Donelson retired in 1985 from the MFA fertilizer plant in Palmyra. He was formerly self-employed as a milk route driver serving Quality Dairy in St. Louis. Survivors include a daughter, Janelle Koch and husband, Clem, of Palmyra; a son, Jan Donelson and wife, Tammy, of Wildwood; several grandchildren including Joelle Fohey and husband, Derek, of Palmyra, Alan Koch and wife, Kimberley, of Palmyra, Danielle O'Donnell and husband, Eric, of Grain Valley, and Cole and Tara Donelson of Wildwood; a son in spirit, John Scholl and wife, Mary, of Palmyra; John's children, Ryan Scholl of Rolla, Nathan Scholl of Warrensburg, and Kristen Scholl of Columbia; stepchildren, Norleen Elliott of Chesterfield, Linda Sutton of St. Charles, Nancy Drebes of Columbia, and Glenn Drebes of Oklahoma City; six great-grandchildren; and five stepgrandchildren. He also was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Herman and Gerald Donelson; a sister, Nellie Cluck; and a stepgreat-granddaughter. SERVICES: 11 a.m. Saturday in Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Ely with the Rev. Kenneth Schamber conducting. Burial will be at the Greenwood Cemetery in Palmyra. Graveside military rites will be conducted by the Boots-Dickson Post No. 174 of the American Legion. Casket bearers will be Cole Donelson, Alan Koch, Ryan Scholl, Nathan Scholl, Derek Fohey, Eric O'Donnell, Jim Cluck, and Kent Cluck. Members of the Boots-Dickson No. 174 of the American Legion and the U.S. Marine Corps honorary bearers will be Bryan Hanlin, Jim Fohey, Jim Hirsch, Max Schaefer, Bob Peiter, Arlen Schade and Curtis Robbins. VISITATION: 5 to 8 p.m. Friday in the Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel in Palmyra. There also will be a visitation from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the Immanuel Lutheran Church in West Ely. MEMORIALS: Immanuel Lutheran Church Building Fund and Boots Dickson Post No. 174 of the American Legion. ARRANGEMENTS: Lewis Brothers Funeral Chapel, Palmyra. WEB SITE: www.lewisbrothersfuneralchapel.com. Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.


Published in the Quincy Herald-Whig from 8/13/2009 - 8/15/2009