Obituary

Rev. Father john h. Mcdonnell, 85, of kanawha city, passed away, sunday, june 28, 2015 at the hubbard hospice house, charleston.

He was born on aug. 4, 1929, in weston, son of the late john and kathryn (walsh) mcdonnell. He was a graduate of st. Patrick high school, weston.   he pursued his preparatory studies (high school seminary) from 1947 to 1950 at st. Charles college in catonsville, md.; his philosophical studies from 1950 to 1952 at st. Mary’s seminary in baltimore, md; and his theological studies from 1952 to 1956 at st. Mary’s seminary (paca street) in baltimore, where he earned his bachelor of arts and a bachelor’s degree in sacred theology.

Father mcdonnell was ordained for the diocese of wheeling on may 26, 1956, at immaculate conception parish in clarksburg, by bishop thomas j. Mcdonnell. Father mcdonnell served as associate pastor of immaculate conception from 1956 to 1961 and st. Margaret mary parish in parkersburg, from 1961 to 1963 and as pastor of our lady of the blessed sacrament parish in ravenswood, from 1963 to 1966. He also served as chaplain of the veterans affairs hospital in clarksburg.

Father mcdonnell was well known in west virginia and nationally for his extensive work in ecumenism. He was the 1995 recipient of the national association of diocesan ecumenical officers james fitzgerald award for ecumenism consultor for renewing the diaconate. Within the diocese, father mcdonnell served as director of the following: evangelization and home missions from 1966 to 1987, propagation of the faith and the holy childhood association from 1966 to 1987, newman apostolate in 1967, campus ministry from 1968 to 1987 and religious education from 1966 to 1987.

Father mcdonnell also served as a national board member of the holy childhood association in washington. He served a three-year term on the diocesan presbyteral council and a five-year term on the diocesan college of consultors, beginning nov. 27, 1983. He also served as episcopal delegate for missions, evangelization to the unchurched and religious unity. He also served as pastor of st. Agnes parish in charleston, from 1987 to 2006.

Father mcdonnell was re-elected to three-year terms on the presbyteral council in january 2000 and 2006; appointed to a five-year term on the college of consultors march 8, 2000; re-elected to a three-year term on the presbyteral council jan. 20, 2003; and elected to the board of the infirmed priests’ association, 2005 to 2007. He was also a member of diocesan committees such as art and architecture and family life and pastoral concerns.

Father mcdonnell retired from active ministry feb. 27, 2006. Until fully retiring in june 2010, he served as chairman of the unity commission for the diocese of wheeling-charleston, since its inception in 1964.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by his sisters, mary lilya and ann moran; and brothers, joseph and bill mcdonnell.

He is survived by his nieces, anita schoen of belpre, oh and kathy (dave) haislip of the woodlands, tx; and nephews, jim (gerry) mcdonnell of vinton, la and andy (mary ann) mcdonnell of federal way, wa; as well as, numerous grand nephews and nieces, great-grand nephews and nieces and many loving friends.

Family and friends would like to thank kanawha hospice care, for the love and support father mcdonnell received in his final days.

Mass of christian burial will be 11 a.M. Thursday, july 2, 2015 at saint agnes catholic church, kanawha city with bishop michael bransfield, celebrant and monsignor fred annie, homilist.  reception of the body will be at 4 p.M. Wednesday, july 1, 2015 at st agnes catholic church, kanawha city visitation will continue until 7 p.M. And conclude with the christian wake service.  before the mass of christian burial, the body will be lying in state from 10:00 a.M. To 11:00 a.M.   burial will be at the machpelah cemetery, weston.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.Barlowbonsall.Com .

Barlow bonsall funeral home, charleston has been entrusted with the arrangements.