Lester L Donnel

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Friday in Howe & Yockey Funeral Home, Shelbyville with Rev. Randy Miller officiating. Visitation from 10:00 a.m. Friday until time of service. Burial will be in Glenwood Cemetery, Shelbyville with military rites by the Shelby County Honor Guard. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorials to the American Heart Association or Knobs Baptist Church, Tower Hill, Illinois.

Mr. Donnel was born on June 26, 1916 in Westervelt, Illinois the son of Charles H. and Drucilla “Minnie” Salmons Donnel. He was the youngest of four brothers. Lester proudly served in the United States Air Force and shared many stories with his family having been a veteran of WW II. He was a hard worker and loved working on the family’s sesquicentennial farm, where he lived his entire life. He enjoyed gardening, woodworking and collecting antique dishes and railroad watches. He attended Knobs Baptist Church, Tower Hill. He married Ila Mae Shade on August 25, 1948. She died on June 2, 2003.

Surviving are his son, Louie Donnel and wife Tina of Shelbyville; daughters, Connie Scott and husband Jene of Mattoon and Dorothy Ann Dilley and husband Larry of Shelbyville; brother, Woodrow W. Donnel of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Amy, Erin, Cory, Tarrah, Lindsay, Melanie and Mitchell; and great grandchildren, Peighton, Kentrell, Kolton, Abby, Isaac and Lilian.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Ila; son, William E. Anderson; brothers, Dale D. Donnel and Glen G. Donnel; and one granddaughter, Penny.

Lester was dearly loved by his children and grandchildren, who will cherish their memories of their Dad and Grandpa.