JH McDonnell

James Hamilton McDonnell of Drexel, Missouri was born on July 24, 1924 near Archie, Missouri the son of James Karl and Mary D. (Vansandt) McDonnell. He departed this life on Monday, December 22, 2008 at Specialty Hospital of Mid-America, Overland Park, Kansas at the age of 84 years, 4 months and 28 days. On July 31, 1954, J.H. was united in marriage to Wynona Marie (Copeland) Peirce in Butler, Missouri.
J.H. was a farmer and stockman until his retirement in August of 2008 because of health reasons. He and Marie were the oldest attending members of Everett Community Church near Archie. J.H. was an Army veteran of World War II serving as a paratrooper and airborne medic. He was a lifelong area resident and a 1943 graduate of Archie High School. J.H. enjoyed his family, working with his children in 4-H, playing cards with his friends, riding his mule and 4-wheeler, hunting, the outdoors, going to Colorado and traveling. He was a member of Archie Masonic Lodge #633 A.F. & A.M., the VFW and American Legion in Drexel, Missouri. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by a granddaughter, Mindy McDonnell, 2 sisters, Cecil Spencer and Georgia Bosley and his first wife, Loleta Tucker. He is survived by his wife, Marie McDonnell of the home; five sons, Jim McDonnell and wife, Nancy, LaCygne, Kansas, Larry Peirce and wife, Wendy, Pleasant Hill, Missouri, James Peirce, Drexel, Missouri, Dale Peirce and wife, Barbara, Borger, Texas, Dean McDonnell and wife, Randy, Archie, Missouri; two daughters, Patricia Barnard and husband, Dennis, Raymore, Missouri, Merrilee Honaker and husband, Larry, Drexel, Missouri; eighteen grandchildren; twenty six great-grandchildren; a brother, Lloyd Karl McDonnell and wife, Rose Marie, Archie, Missouri; other relatives and many friends.
Funeral services were held Saturday, December 27, 2008 Dickey Funeral Home, Harrisonville, Missouri with burial in the Reid Cemetery near Harrisonville, Missouri.