James H. Donnewald former Illinois State Treasurer and Illinois State Legislator 84 of Breese died Friday September 18, 2009 at Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis, MO 

He was born January 29, 1925 in Carlyle to John Henry “Hank” and Cecilia (Luepke) Donnewald: they preceded him in death 

He married Ruth Holtgrave June 24, 1953 at St. Dominic Church in Breese and she preceded him in death August 18, 2007 

Also preceded in death by a brother Raymond “Bud” Donnewald, a sister Mary Tierney-Ackmann, brothers-in-law Michael Tierney and Alfred Romo 

Survivng are sons Eric (Pam) Donnewald of Springfield, IL, and Craig (Theresa) Donnewald of Arlington Heights, IL 

Daughter Jill (Ken) Kailin of Northbrook, IL 

5 grandchildren Katie and Steven Donnewald, Mitchell, Jenna and Elise Kailin 

Sisters Irene Romo of Phoenix, AZ, Juanita (Robert) Moore of Memphis, TN 

Brother-in-law Carl Ackmann of Carlyle 

Sister-in-law Alvina Donnewald of Carlyle  

Member of St. Dominic Catholic Church, Breese American Legion Post 252, Breese Knights of Columbus 2869. He was a Korean War veteran serving 1950 to 1951 

After his college work at St. Louis University, Mr. Donnewald graduated from Lincoln College of Law in 1949. Following his admission to the Bar of the State of Illinois, in 1951, he began to practice law in Breese and has maintained his office for nearly 58 years. His political career began in 1948 while a law student. He was elected Democratic precinct committeeman and a year later became Carlyle Township Supervisor a post he held for two years.  In 1960, he was elected to the first of two terms in the Illinois House of Representatives for the 51^st District (now the 55^th). Elected to the Illinois State Senate 1964, 1966, 1970, 1974, and 1978.  Beginning with the 77^th General Assembly, he was asked by his colleagues to be Assistant Democratic Leader in the Illinois Senate, Member of Committees for Executive Appointments and Administration, Revenue and Chairman of Committee on Assignment of Bills, Rules committee, Appropriation committee, Executive and Senate Operations committee, Executive Appointments committee, Chairman of Reapportionment commission until his retirement from the Legislature at the conclusion of the 82^nd General Assembly in Janaury1983. In the election of 1982 he was selected Treasurer of the State of Illinois.  

Funeral Mass of Christian burial will be Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 11:30 am at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, IL with Fr. Ben Stern officiating. Interment St. Mary Cemetery in Carlyle, IL 

Visitation will be held on Monday, September 21, 2009 from 4 to 8 PM and Tuesday, September 22, 2009 from 9 to 11:15 am at the Moss Funeral Home in Breese, IL 

Memorials can be made to St. Dominic Church, American Heart Association or Donor’s Choice and will be received at the funeral home.