Thomas Donahue's Obituary
Thomas M. Donahue, 72, of Camanche, passed away, Tuesday, December 30, 2014 at his home.
Funeral Services will be 10:00 am, Saturday, January 3, 2015 at the Catholic Church of the Visitation in Camanche. Burial will be in Clinton Lawn Cemetery with military honors being conducted by the Camanche VFW. Serving as pallbearers will be Bob Willis, Carl Neumann, Holland Miles, Brayton Raasche, Mitch McElroy, and Hunter Alm. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Larry Schreiber, Carl Kaup and Bruce McAlpine. Visitation will be Friday from 4:00-8:00 pm at the church. The Camanche Chapel Snell-Zornig Funeral Homes & Crematory is assisting the family. Online condolences may be expressed by visiting his obituary at www.snellzornig.com .
Thomas Michael Donahue was born November 11, 1942 in Clinton, Iowa, the son of Paul and Anne (Bartels) Donahue. He married Carol Ann Pfeiffer on August 28, 1965 in Niles, Illinois; she died June 10, 1989. He later married Susan Jean Larson on July 5, 1991 in Camanche.
Tom was a 1961 graduate of Clinton High School. He also attended Clinton Community College where he was an intercollegiate wrestler.
Tom served in the Iowa Army Nation Guard Battery A 1st Battalion 185th ARTILLARY Iowa. He enlisted in 1963 and discharged in 1977. In June 1972 he attained the rank of Captain at the Clinton Armory.
Tom was employed with EI Dupont/Bemis from 1963 until retiring in 2005. He also owned and operated Tony’s Taco House and T.C.’s Family Restaurant in Camanche.
Tom was a very humble, laid back gentleman of few words. He loved taking naps and indulging in sweets. He found much enjoyment on the Mississippi River. He was a member of the Ski-Daddlers water ski club. The Ski-Daddlers were the first ski team to perform at Clinton Riverboat Days. He loved to fish and hunt on the Mississippi as well. He duck hunted the lower lake of Beaver Island out of a skull boat for nearly 45 years with Bob Willis. He truly enjoyed the friendships, breakfasts, and cribbage games that were all part of duck hunting. Tom was very fond of his best friends and personal guard dog, Bear. He loved to cook and prepared most of the meals for his family. Most of all, Tom has always cherished nightly dinners at the kitchen table with his children. Throughout his illness, Tom never lost his quick wit or sense of humor. He was a member of the Church of the Visitation, Camanche.
Tom is survived by his wife: Susan of Camanche; children: Kelley Donahue of Clinton, Michael Donahue of Monona, Iowa, Danielle (Chris) Puckett of Dallas, Texas, Ashley (Ryan) Duncan of Camanche, Andrew Donahue at home, and Allison Donahue at home; 10 grandchildren: Brandon Donahue, Courtney Harlock, Craig Harlock, Madison Donahue, Carter Donahue, Brystal Donahue, Spencer Puckett, Sydney Puckett, Easton Duncan, and Erik Duncan; three sisters: Beverly (Richard) Fagan of Lake Tomahawk, Wisconsin, Judy (Joe) Nelson of Clinton, Iowa and Mary (Larry) Griffin of Spring Lake, Michigan; a special nephew: David Miles of Camanche and his mother-in-law: Carol Jo Macke of Clinton;
Tom was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and one daughter: Michelle on July 15, 1973.
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