John "Jack" Joseph Donohue

John Joseph “Jack” Donohue, age 76, formerly of Sheldon, Iowa passed away February 4, 2022, in Hudson, Wisconsin after a long illness.

A Memorial Mass for Jack will be held Monday, March 14 at 10:30 AM at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Sheldon, with Father Siby Punnoose as celebrant.   A rosary and prayer service are scheduled for 4:30 pm on Sunday, March 13 at the Church with visitation and family present until 7:30 pm.

Jack was born November 21, 1945, to parents Joseph and Esther (Honkomp) Donohue. He graduated from Sheldon High School and put himself through college at the University of South Dakota in Vermillion, Ventura College in Ventura, CA and graduated with a BBA from the University of Iowa School of Business having studied art, advertising, and marketing. Jack completed Squadron Officer School with the US Air Force and was a Captain in the Air National Guard/Tactical Air Command where he was an expert controller of fighter jets before the age of computers.

Jack married Mary Lou Linch on September 6, 1969, in Sheldon at St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, and he enjoyed working in advertising and sales, was a popular community speaker and MC and hosted a morning radio show. After they returned to Sheldon, he worked at the local community college in its early years, and with the Sheldon Mail newspaper in advertising, design, and editorial cartooning. He owned several businesses including Donohue’s, Ltd. gift store and gallery and later, Sign Graphics. Jack was a talented artist, and enjoyed drawing, picture framing, and design work. He loved baseball and was a gifted player and life-long student of the game. He enjoyed keeping up with politics, anything related to the mountains, impromptu road trips and traveling with his family. Jack was an avid reader, and rarely passed a bookstore without going in. He adored Christmas and gift-giving and hosted wonderful holiday parties for his customers and friends. He was a lifelong member of St. Patrick’s Parish, and his faith was a very important part of his life.

Jack will be lovingly remembered by his wife Mary; children Beth (Casey) Kingdon of Marcus, Iowa and Joe (Amy) Donohue of Houlton, Wisconsin; grandchildren Rita and Irene; and sister MaryAnn (Jim) Hauth of Kalona, Iowa and numerous relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a much-loved stepfather Larry Gloden, and several very good dogs.