Jeannette Donnelly, 96

Jeannette M. (Haas) Donnelly, age 96, died on Good Friday, March 25, 2016 in Deltona, Florida after several years of failing health. She was born in Kalamazoo, Michigan on March 15, 1920 the daughter of the late Bernard C. and Mildred (English) Haas. Jeannette graduated from Mendon High School with the class of 1938, and later graduated from Western Michigan University. She was a school teacher, working in the Howard City, Niles, and Dowagiac School systems. She was married to Donald F. Donnelly on Oct. 13, 1945 in St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon. He died on March 18, 1966. They had attended Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac, where Jeannette was active in the choir. She was also a member of the Michigan Retired Teachers’ Association, a former 4-H Leader, and volunteer with Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan.

Jeannette is survived by two children, Mary Ann Negron ( Dave) of Deltona, Florida and Terrence Donnelly of Delray Beach, Florida; five grandchildren, Sean (Krysten) Shannon and their children, Rylee and Colton, Tracy Barnes, Brenda Calvert, Lisa Mongie, and Kyle Brady; 13 other great-grandchildren; a sister, Joyce Beebe of Portage; a brother, Carroll Haas of Mendon; several nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by two brothers and their wives, Terrence (Jane) Haas and Arthur (Shirley) Haas of Mendon; brother in law, Allen Beebe; and sister in law, Elaine Haas.

The family will receive friends from 3:30 to 6:30 PM on Thursday at the Eickhoff Funeral Home in Mendon where the Rosary will be recited at 6:30 PM. The funeral mass will be celebrated 11:00 AM Friday April 1, 2016 at St. Edward Catholic Church in Mendon with Rev. Jim Vinh Le officiating. Burial will follow in St. Edward Catholic Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to either Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan, or to St. Edward Catholic Church. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.eickhofffuneralhome.com