O'Donnell, Mell N.

Mell N. O'Donnell, 86, of Cedar Rapids, died Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009, at the Dennis and Donna Oldorf Hospice House of Mercy, Hiawatha. Funeral Mass: 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 24, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Cedar Rapids, by the Rev. Monsignor Karl Glovik and the Rev. Christopher Podjhasky. Friends may call from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Stewart Baxter Funeral & Memorial Services, Cedar Rapids, with a vigil service at 4 p.m. Burial: Mount Calvary Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Pauline; six sons, Dan (Pat), Pat (Kathleen), Mell (Lori), Tom (Cheryl), Tim and Mike O‘Donnell, and three daughters, Karen (Les) Swindler, Angie (Tim) Casey and Coleen (Tom) Stevenson, all of the Cedar Rapids area; 19 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.

Mell was born Nov. 12, 1922, in Williamsburg, Iowa, the son of Hugh and Frances (Morrin) O'Donnell. While serving in the U.S. Air Force, Mell married Pauline Moore on Feb. 20, 1943, in St. Louis, Mo. He was a district manager for REA Express for 30 years and was a Realtor in the Cedar Rapids area for 30 years where he was a member of the Million Dollar Club. As a member of Immaculate Conception, he attended daily mass and enjoyed playing in the parish softball leagues.

Mell was a great family man who spent a lot of time playing card games, coaching and attending sporting events for family, and following Notre Dame sports. He also liked to watch Cardinals baseball and John Wayne movies. He took great pride in providing for his family and will be greatly missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents; seven brothers; one sister; and a granddaughter, Claire.

A memorial fund has been established.

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