NILES - Donald Eugene Donnelly Sr., 74, of Niles, passed away at 12:55pm on Thursday August 12, 2010 at the Briarfield at the Ridge following a lengthy illness.

 

He was born in Youngstown, Ohio on June 10, 1936 to Ralph and Margaret (Panning) Donnelly.

 

Donald served in the United States Army during the Korean War in the 11 th Airborne Division.  He retired from the Optical Field where he was part of the discovery process of the invention of contact lens.  He was a member of St. Stephen Church.

 

He is survived by five children, Vincent Michael Donnelly Sr. of Stoutsville, Annette Stuckey of Lacey, WA, Ann Marie Donnelly of Niles, Kathleen Braham of Austintown, Donald Eugene Donnelly Jr. of Niles; 12 grandchildren; 13 great grandchildren; two step brothers, Ted Donnelly and Paul Donnelly.

 

He was preceded in death by his wife Sylvia Ann (Martino) Donnelly who died on August 30, 2004; parents and brother, Richard Panning.

 

Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, August 17, 2010 at 5:00 pm at St. Stephen Church.  Rev. Thomas Kraszewski will be the celebrant.  The Trumbull County Honor Guard will honor him following the mass at church.  Burial will be at Niles City Cemetery.