Joseph John McDonnell

Joe was the beloved father of Dan (Kim) McDonnell, Laurie (Paul) Hampel, and Bill (Stacy) McDonnell; loving "Gogo" of Corinne Althauser, Will, Paulina (Michael) Mills, Nick, and Mia; dear great-grandfather of Zara and Margo; dear uncle, great-uncle, cousin, and a friend to many in his lifetime.He was preceded in death by his wife, Joyce (nee Garrett) McDonnell. They were married for 55 years until her passing in 2014.

Joe spent his childhood in the Dutchtown neighborhood and attended St Thomas grade school half a block from his home. Joe was the third youngest of nine brothers and sisters. He attended Cleveland High School where he was the starting forward on the basketball team that won the state championship his senior year.

He continued playing basketball on a scholarship at Wofford College in South Carolina. He was forced to drop out when he was hospitalized with appendicitis and then was drafted into the army. He served in Korea during the conflict in that country.

When he returned, he met Joyce Garrett and they soon married. They had three children: Dan, Laurie and Bill.

Joe had an interesting career. After doing sales for Ronnoco Coffee, he bought a tavern at Bates and Virginia streets in South City and called it McDonnell’s Pub. It was a popular watering hole for years and had many loyal customers.

While running the bar, he purchased several thoroughbred horses that raced at Cahokia Downs and Fairmount Park in the Metro East, and also at Arlington Park in Chicago. He eventually became a horse trainer, as well. His horses often ended up in the Winner’s Circle. Joe and Joyce bought a farm in Waterloo, Illinois, where they lived and kept horses for several years.

Joe was an accomplished athlete. He was inducted into the St Louis Amateur Baseball Hall of Fame in recognition for his playing and coaching skills. He played golf and basketball throughout his life and won medals for both sports in the Senior Olympics.

Joe was deeply devoted to his grandchildren and great grandchildren, and treasured the time he spent with them.

Joe always kept the Catholic faith and never missed weekly Mass. His goodness and humor will be missed by all who knew him.

If desired, contributions in Joe's memory to the Parkinson's Foundation www.parkinson.org or St. Louis Challenger Baseball https://challengerbaseball.org/ would be greatly appreciated by his family.

Please leave a fond memory of Joe for his family to cherish at the "Add a Memory" link below.