Timothy "Tim" Donnelly

Timothy “Tim” Donnelly, 74, of Davenport, passed away on July 8, 2024.

Tim was born on July 19, 1949, in Detroit, Michigan, the son of Joseph and Rita (O’Malley) Donnelly. He had three brothers, Kevin, Matthew, and Joseph Michael, known around Allen Park as “those Damn Donnelly boys.”

Tim graduated from Cabrini Catholic High School. He played football throughout high school and as a lineman at Eastern Michigan University, where he earned a bachelor's degree in history. He obtained a master's degree in business administration from Central Michigan University.

In 1975, Tim met Sallie Esper. He proposed on their first date and they were married on July 2, 1976. They moved to Davenport, Iowa, where Tim worked at the Rock Island Arsenal. He served as a program analyst for the Federal Government’s Tank Command for 30 years.

Tim enjoyed playing golf and was a member of the Knights of Columbus. Tim was an avid supporter, albeit often a disappointed one, of the “God Damn Lions” and other Michigan professional sports teams. As a dedicated Michigan State fan, there was a fierce in-house rivalry with Sallie’s University of Michigan. He loved talking about his Detroit roots and was known for buying the next round. 

Tim and Sallie shared the love of travel, exploring the United States and Canada in retirement. They passed down that love to his daughters. Traveling to places such as Gulf Shores, Ireland, and The Florida Keys were some of his favorites but no place could hold a candle to his cottage on Long Lake in Hillman, MI. 

Tim loved animals, especially his dogs Sassy, Gracie, Jazz, and Clancy. Despite some initial reluctance, he also welcomed various pets into the home, including a cat, bunny, guinea pig, two rats, a gerbil, hamster, fish, parakeet, and a hedgehog. He supported King's Harvest Pet Rescue and the Humane Society of Scott County..

Tim would want everyone to consider organ donation, a cause he endorsed.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Sallie Donnelly; daughters, Meghan Overton and Patricia Donnelly; granddaughter, Olivia Overton; sons-in-law, Shawn Overton and Thomas Connell; and beloved nephew, Joseph Donnelly.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to King’s Harvest Pet Rescue and the Humane Society of Scott County.

Online tributes may be expressed at www.hmdfunerlahome.com.