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Gerald Donovan, 85, died October 11, 2024, at Brookdale Senior Living, Great Bend, Kansas.  He was born at home on June 21, 1939, in Hoisington, Kansas, the son of Jerome and Lenora (Cromwell) Donovan.  Gerald graduated from Hoisington High School in 1958.

He married his high school sweetheart, Donna Steinert, on March 30, 1958, in Hoisington, Kansas.

A lifetime resident of Hoisington, Gerald worked as a milk hauler for the Pioneer Cheese Company in Hoisington and later was a self-employed contract pumper. His kids fondly remember rides in the milk truck and nights at the baseball fields where he coached little league and ran the concessions stands with Donna for many years.  He loved music, westerns, and his green yard with his tired iron. He was a member of the Church of the Nazarene.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Donna Donovan of the home; daughter, Denise Dinkel and husband Brad of Russell; sons, Darrel Donovan and wife Donita of Hoisington, and Quincy Donovan of Jetmore; eight grandchildren, Danae (Tyler) Burns of Topeka, Trista Goreham of Marquette, Royce (Tessa) Goreham of Hoisington, Dylan (Andrea) Donovan of  Abilene, Devan (Andrew) Hall of Overland Park, Craig (Suzenne) Donovan of Manila, Philippines, Nick (Shae) Donovan of Chesapeake, Virginia, Brett (companion Allie Julian) Donovan of Dodge City; and 14 great grandchildren, Kaedrik Silsby, Bensyn and Bryson Goreham, Brody and Bently Corbett, Aria, Greyson, Wrynleigh, and Lincoln Donovan, Oliver Hall, Rae and Joules Donovan, Zane and Aeden Donovan.

He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Marvin Donovan, and sisters, Melva Merlau and Delora Donovan.

There will be no viewing as per Gerald's wishes, cremation has taken place. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., Sunday, with family to greet friends from 6 to 8 p.m. at the funeral home.

Memorial service will be 10:30 a.m., Monday, October 21, 2024, at Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home Chapel, with Pastor Don Fisher presiding. Inurnment will follow in Hoisington Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Hoisington Church of the Nazarene or Hoisington Food Bank in care of Nicholson-Ricke Funeral Home, PO Box 146, Hoisington, KS 67544.