Michael “Mick” Joseph Donahue

Staff
Posted 9/19/17

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. - Michael “Mick” Joseph Donahue, 74, of Sun City West, Ariz., formerly of Mendota, died Sept. 14, 2017 at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Arizona after an intensive battle with lung cancer.

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Michael “Mick” Joseph Donahue

Posted

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. - Michael “Mick” Joseph Donahue, 74, of Sun City West, Ariz., formerly of Mendota, died Sept. 14, 2017 at Banner Del E. Webb Medical Center in Arizona after an intensive battle with lung cancer.

Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Rev. Peter Pilon, Rev. Gary Blake, Rev. Jake Rose and Rev. Harold Datzmann officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery with military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-7 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 22 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with a Rosary at 7 p.m.

Mick was born Nov. 11, 1942 at the Harris Hospital in Mendota to Leslie Michael (L.M.) and Alice Marie (Guilfoyle) Donahue. He married Sandee Roda on Dec. 27, 1975 at Holy Family Church in Oglesby.

Survivors include his wife; four siblings, Pat Donahue of Rockford, Jerry (Ellen) Donahue of Mendota, Dr. Joe (Jan) Donahue of Peru, and Cathy Donahue of Tarpon Springs, Fla.; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Mick attended Holy Cross Grade School, Mendota High School, IVCC and University of St. Francis. He served in the U.S. Army from 1961-1963 in the Signal Corps in Korea and received a letter of commendation for his work setting up communications in the Florida Keys during the Cuban Crisis. For 35 years, he was employed at Manley Brothers Silica Sand in Troy Grove. While there, he served as ABC Union Local 427 president, vice-president and trustee. He retired on May 5, 2005. He was an active member of the American Legion, VFW, VietNow, AmVets, and Catholic War Vets, and he served on the board of the Kendall County Veterans Assistance Commission.

Shortly after moving to Arizona, Mick trained and became a sworn officer of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Posse. He was also a member of Shooter’s World and was an ardent gun collector and competition shooter, proudly attaining concealed carry licenses in Utah, Florida, Illinois, and Arizona. For many years, he practiced QiGong and had reached the level of a green belt in Tai Chi. In addition, he was an enthusiastic motorcycle rider on his Harley Davidson. An avid traveler, he journeyed extensively in the United States exploring 35 states, Canada, Mexico, Central America, South America, China, Israel, 17 countries of Europe, and 20 islands of the Caribbean.

He was a member of Holy Cross Church in Mendota for 72 years before transferring to Our Lady of Lourdes Parish in Arizona. He served as lector, EME, and CCD Instructor. He was also active in Sheridan Correctional Center Prison Cursillo, Illinois Valley Cursillo, Holy Cross and Sts. Peter and Paul WATCH program, and was a board member and annual retreat leader at King’s House of Retreats in Henry. He was a 3rd Degree Knights of Columbus and was a professed member of John Michael Talbot’s Brothers and Sisters of Charity Domestic.

Memorials may be directed to the family for a memorial to be established.