Robert Lee Donnell Sr.

Robert worked many different jobs over the years; he was a merchant marine, a deckhand on riverboats, and a cotton picker, but he was known most for his painting. He painted bridges, ships and even the world’s largest catsup bottle in Collinsville. He was a proud member of the NRA and Painters Local Council 58. He loved to tinker around with guns, watches and clocks and could practically fix anything – if he couldn’t fix it, he would build it. He was well known for his cooking, especially his BBQ and homemade BBQ sauce. He also loved dogs and enjoyed traveling and watching old reruns of Jeopardy and Wheel of Fortune. Robert was an intelligent, resourceful, kind, hardworking and fun loving man. He will be dearly missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Lou Etta Donnell (nee Barbee); parents, James F. Donnell Sr. and Golda Donnell (nee Coley); sons, Robert L. Donnell Jr. and Ricky L. Donnell; daughter Rebecca L. Donnell-Temple; three infant children, four brothers, three sisters and two grandsons, Jerry Wilson Jr. and Rick Allen.

Surviving to cherish his memory are his loving children, Gerald “Jerry” Robert (Betty) Wilson, Larry David (Jeannette) Wilson, Patti Sue (Richard) Allen, Mary Jo (David) Mangles; grandchildren, Bobbi (Louis) Cherry, David Davidson, Jason (Holly) Davidson, Sean Hill, Rick Pace, Arthur Pace, Lynne Anne Pace, Chris Donnell, Jonathan Donnell, Dawn Allen-McLamb, Sara (Chris) Bunnell, Ashley (Mike) Moore, Kim (Jerry) DePasquale, Catherine (Tim) Ashton, Steve (Tammy) Allen, Jackie Allen, Heather (Scott) Davidson, Jeff (Meghan) Wilson; great-grandchildren, Zack (Bre Sherry) Farmer, Maya Cherry, Kane Davidson, Janna Ray, Peyton Davidson, Becca Tanner, Travis Tanner, Preston Moore and Reid Moore; great-great-grandchild, Joanna Lou Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made to Stray Rescue of St. Louis.

Visitation will occur from 1-3 PM on Saturday, December 4, 2021 at Valhalla Gaerdner Holten Funeral Home in Belleville, IL with a memorial service to commence at 3 PM.