Obituary of WALTER MCDONELL

Walter Willard McDonell left this life to begin his new eternal life in heaven on February 7, 2013. He was born to Merrit H. and Ruth Smith McDonell on March 26, 1930. Walter had many interests and enjoyed speed in his early years participating in the sport of boat racing in the many lakes in northeastern Oklahoma in both hydroplane and runabout categories. He enjoyed driving a Harley, English sports car and piloted small aircraft. He also enjoyed photography and playing his guitar. Walt won many trophies in archery, bowling and pool. As a devout Christian, Walt was active in church serving as a Sunday School teacher, Royal Rangers boys group leader, in the music ministry and on the board of trustees. He was a member of the American Legion and spent many hours working there fundraising for their current building. Walt served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and soon after his discharge married Dorothy "Joan" Heath on December 16, 1955 to whom he was thoroughly devoted and spent much of his time caring for her when she had a serious illness a few years after their marriage. He was a loving and caring family man and proud of their four children attending many football games, band recitals as well as Camp Fire Girls box suppers and enjoying vacation times spent together. Walt owned a barber shop in Sapulpa and barbered 45 years until his retirement. He was preceded in death by his parents, Merrit and Ruth McDonell, his brother Terry Keith during the Viet Nam War, and a sister, Wanda Madell Trotter as well as a son-in-law, Thomas H. Linton. He will be sorely missed by his wife Joan, one son James "Jay" McDonell, daughters Valerie Lynn Linton, Barbara "Elaine" Breckinridge and husband Phillips Breckinridge, and DeeAnn Renee-Ruth Poulin and husband Rev. James L. Poulin, a sister, Pam and husband Bobby Wiley, six grandchildren: Kristen Linton, Branden, Madison and Collin Poulin, Preston and Heath Breckinridge, nieces, nephews and a host of friends. A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held at Praise Fellowship, Thompson and Water Street in Sapulpa at 2:00 PM on Monday, February 11, 2013. The family has chosen to entrust the care of the services to the directors at Green Hill Funeral Home. 9182242312 www.greenhillok.com