Donnie Jellison's Obituary
A legend was born on Friday, October 11, 1963 in Unionville, Missouri to Donald and Virginia Jellison. The last infant to be delivered in the old Putnam Co. Hospital facility proved to be impatient and something of a speed demon as he awaited no doctor in his rush to meet the man who would become his hero. Donald Dean Jellison was delivered into the world by his father, Donald, and a lone nurse. On that day Donnie made his presence known in a remarkable way and continued along in the same way throughout his 56 years. He joined older siblings, Debra, Michael and Lisa as the fourth child and following the arrivals of Michelle, Robert and Nicole making him the middle child of seven and the bridge between the old guard and the new wave. Donnie discovered a passion for tinkering in his dad's shop at an early age and at his dad's heels he began a career in mechanics that carried on almost daily throughout his time on Earth. From his first job repairing lawn mowers at the age of 13 to building muscle cars with his brother, Mike, and on to diesel mechanics for the family trucking company, Donnie could do it all and do it so well that his expertise became greatly sought after. He truly loved his work and the challenge of making motors run faster and perform better. There was little he couldn't figure out and fix. Beloved more than his work was his family. On June 24, 1983, Donnie married the love of his life, Rhonda, and the two quickly started a family with Joel's arrival that same year. Travis followed six years later and completed their family of four. Together they built a home which was a welcome retreat to any and all who crossed the threshold. Their door was always open and the coffee was always on. His family was his pride and joy and as the years went by he and Rhonda became Poppy and Granny to Mendon, Gage, Zane, Holdyn, Grayson, Sutton and Remington. On Wednesday February 5th, his family converged on three waiting rooms to pray and share. Sharing memories, laughs, love and grief as the Lord called Donnie home. Today we share all those things as well as a greater sense of pride and privilege to have been a part of the life of so legendary a man. A man with a heart bigger than himself. Welcoming him to his eternal home are his beloved wife, Rhonda, his father, Don, in laws, Margaret and Wilbur Sowder, brother in law, Jerry Shipp, sister in law, Pamela Vaughn and niece Jessica Vaughn. Rhonda has the coffee on and Donnie's table is filled with welcome. Left to celebrate the life he lived are his sons, Joel (Shelby) and Travis (Shelby), mother Virginia Jellison, grandchildren Mendon, Gage, Zane, Holdyn, Grayson, Sutton and Remington. His siblings, Debra Summers, Michael Jellison (Mona), Lisa Warren (Justin), Michelle Fortune (Daniel), Robert Jellison and Nicole Shipp and a host of nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins and an innumerable number of friends. Funeral service will be on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10:30 a.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour. Interment will immediately follow the service at Shriver Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Monday, February 10, 2020 from 1-8 p.m. with family greeting friends from 5-8 p.m. at Thomas Funeral Home in Seymour. Memorials may be given to the family. Condolences may be shared at www.thomasfh.com and at facebook.com/thomasfuneralhome. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Donnie Jellison please visit our Sympathy Store. Cemetery Details Shriver Cemetery Hwy J46 & Hwy S40
Corydon, IA 50060 Visitation FEB 10. 5:00 PM - 8:00 PM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected] Funeral Service FEB 11. 10:30 AM (CST) Thomas Funeral Homes - Seymour 307 W. Wall StSeymour, IA 52590[emailprotected]
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