Stephen W. McDonnough

Stephen W. McDonnough, 67, of Scottsbluff, died Thursday, December 3, 2009, at his home. His funeral mass will be held 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 7, 2009, at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Scottsbluff with Father Vince Parsons officiating. Interment will be in West Lawn Cemetery in Gering with military honors provided by Nebraska Army National Guard. A rosary will be recited 6:00 p.m., Sunday at Dugan-Kramer Funeral Chapel in Scottsbluff. Friends may visit from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m., Sunday, at the funeral home. Memorials have been established to St. Agnes Catholic Church and to Knights of Columbus. Stephen was born November 7, 1942, at Chicago, Illinois to James and Sylvia (Craig) McDonnough. He was a career soldier, proud to serve his country from December 1961 to December 1964 and again from December 1968 to March 1977. His tours of duty included South Korea, Vietnam, Germany and several United States Army Bases. He was a drill sergeant at Fort Knox, Kentucky for three years. He also worked as a diesel and auto mechanic and as a truck driver. Stephen married Constance Lee Hemmer on September 16, 1976, at Manhattan, Kansas. He was a member of St. Agnes Catholic Church and a Fourth Degree Knights of Columbus. He was also a member of St. Agnes Men’s book club and enjoyed debating and discussing his faith. Stephen was a world traveler, visiting 27 countries and all 50 states. He was an avid reader and also enjoyed wood working and carving, computer art, oil painting and microbrewing. When he was younger, he enjoyed hunting, skeet shooting, and camping. Survivors include his wife Connie; sons Lonnie (Mona) McDonnough of Harriman, Tennessee, Kevin M. McDonnough of Moskow, Idaho and Jerome “Jay” (Pam) Derr of Nacogdoches, Texas; daughter, Rebecca Ann (Wayne) Hort of Torrington, Wyoming; eleven grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers Harry Benson and James McDonnough; and sister Juneen Green.