WEIRTON -- Donald R. Donell, 81, of Weirton died Monday, April 11, 2011, at home with his family by his side.
Born on August 7, 1929, in Weirton, Don was a son of the late, A.C. and Carmina Sessi Donell. He was also preceded in death by his brothers, Robert, Edward, and Carl A. Donell; and sisters, Virginia Gelini and Marie Steinkirchner.
Don graduated from Weir High School, the College of Steubenville, and the West Virginia University College of Law.
A United States Army veteran, Don served in the nation's capital with the Judge Advocate General's Office for the Military's District of Washington, D.C. After returning to Weirton, he spent eight years with the Hancock County Prosecutor's office, while pursuing a private law practice.
In 1970 Don joined Starvaggi Industries, becoming the president and chairman of the board of Starvaggi Industries, as well as its related foundation, Starvaggi Charities, positions he held for over 30 years.
Dedicated to local religious, health care, and charitable causes, Don was a former athletic director for Weirton Madonna High School. Over the years he served as a board member of the National Coal Association, a member and past chairman of the West Virginia Mining and Reclamation Association Board of Directors, Weirton Medical Center, where he presently was the board's chairman, as a trustee of the Franciscan University of Steubenville, and a member of the WVNCC Foundation Board. He also was on the executive board of the Weirton United Way, serving as vice chairman; he was a member of the Advisory Board of the Business Development Corporation, and was a trustee of the J.C. Williams Charitable Trust.
He is survived by his wife of 60 years, Joan Bush Donell; their son, Robert A. Donell; their daughter, Lynn (Phillip) Dulaney; and their grandchildren, Aidan and Ethan Dulaney, all of Weirton.
Visitation will be from 11 a.m. until time of funeral liturgy with mass, at noon Thursday at St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church, 229 California Ave., Weirton. The Rev. Father Dean Borgmeyer will preside. Interment will follow in Saint Paul Cemetery with military honors conducted by the American Legion Honor Guard.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph the Worker Roman Catholic Church 220 California Ave., Weirton, WV 26062, Weirton Madonna High School, 150 Michael Way, Weirton, WV 26062, or to the Weirton Medical Center Foundation, 601 Colliers Way, Weirton, WV 26062.
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