Obituary of James H. Donaldson

James H. "Jim" Donaldson, 83, of Carlinville, passed away on April 24, 2016 at Pleasant Hill Village in Girard, IL. Jim was born on June 2, 1932 to Frank and Loretta (Krause) Donaldson in Taylorville, IL. He was one of seventeen children. He graduated from Morrisonville Community High School with the class of 1950. Jim served his country during the Korean War as a Corporal in the US Army with the military police. After his discharge, Jim married his high school sweetheart, Gloria Taylor at St. Morris Catholic Church in Morrisonville on April 24, 1954. They set up their homestead on a farm northeast of Carlinville where they started their farming career. Jim farmed in the Standard City area for 47 years and drove a school bus for the Carlinville school district for 30 years, retiring in 2015. He was a member of Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Jim was a past president of the Carlinville Jaycees and a former officer in B.P.O.E # 1412. He served on the Macoupin County Fair Board, serving as president for 5 years and also served on the Carlinville School Board. Jim also was a member of AM Vets and was a board member of the Farm Bureau. Jim was not only an active fan of his children's activities, but has been a strong supporter of all the Carlinville sports programs. James is survived by his wife of exactly 62 years, Gloria J. Donaldson; four sons; Mark (Becky) Donaldson of Carlinville, IL, Randal (Leanna) Donaldson of Carlinville, IL, James A. (Cheryl) Donaldson of Carlinville, IL, and Jeffrey (Vicki) Donaldson of Carlinville, IL, daughter; Marsha (Matthew) Stringer of Monticello, IL; 16 grandchildren, 13 great grandchildren, two brothers, Andrew Donaldson of Dawsonville, GA and David (Lee) Donaldson of Phoenix, AZ; 1/2 brother, Robert Millburg of Girard, IL; two 1/2 sisters, Reta Gaspern of Williamsville, IL and Lea Faye Lentz of Springfield, IL. James was preceded in death by his parents. Visitation will be held Friday, April 29, 2016, from 4:00 to 8:00 pm at Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church in Carlinville, IL. Memorial mass will be held on Saturday, April 30, 2016, 10:00 am at the Ss Mary and Joseph Catholic Church, Carlinville, IL, with Fr. R. Dean Probst officiating. Burial will take place in the New Calvary Cemetery in Carlinville following mass, with Military rights provided by American Legion Guy Baird Post #554. Memorials are suggested to the Carlinville School Foundation or Macoupin County Fair. Davis-Anderson Funeral Home, Carlinville is in charge of arrangements. Online condolences or to light a candle in Jim's memory, please go to www.davisandersonfuneralhome.com.