White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Dick J. Donnelly, 62 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, December 15, 2016, at the Buchanan County Health Center in Independence.  He was born on March 8, 1954, in Independence, the son of John Richard and Ruth Marie (Gapinski) Donnelly.  He graduated from high school in Independence with the Class of 1972, and then, attended Ellsworth Community College in Iowa Falls, Iowa.  Mr. Donnelly was a machinist at several local machine shops.  He was also a partner in Buchanan County Softwater from 1991 to 2012.  He retired in 2014.

Mr. Donnelly was a member of St. John’s Catholic Church in Independence.  His home was on the Wapsipinicon River and he enjoyed relaxing on the river bank and fishing a little.  He enjoyed traveling and went with family members to Ireland in 2000. He was proud of his Irish heritage.

Mr. Donnelly is survived by 1 sister, Kathy (Mark) Mossman of Vinton, Iowa, 3 brothers, Mike (Deb) Donnelly and Andy (Penny) Donnelly, both of Independence and Tom (Jackie) Donnelly of Dysart, Iowa.  He is also survived by 8 nieces and nephews, John (Shelly) Mossman, Ben (Katie) Donnelly, Jared (Kelsi) Donnelly, Brian Miller, Brian Hunter, Chris Donnelly, Brittney (Jared) Cunningham, and Katie Donnelly. He was preceded in death by his parents and one nephew, Burns Mossman.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 20, 2016, at St. John’s Catholic Church inIndependence.  Rev. David Beckman will be the Celebrant.  Burial will be in St. John’s Cemetery in Independence.  Friends may call for visitation from 3:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 19^th, at the White Funeral Home in Independence, where a Parish Rosary begins at 3:00 p.m., and a Vigil Service begins at 7:00 p.m.