George Edwin "Eddie" Mcdonnall

George Edwin “Eddie” McDonnall, aged 88, passed away peacefully at his home in Sullivan, Indiana, on April 8, 2025 while surrounded by his family.  Eddie was born on December 9, 1936, in Sullivan.

Eddie graduated from Sullivan High School in 1955 and, soon after his graduation, married his high school sweetheart, Carolyn “Sue” McDonnall. Eddie served in the Air Force as a mechanic and was stationed in Vallejo, California. Sue went to join her husband after their first child, John, was born. Sue gave birth to their second child, Melinda, while in California. The family returned to Indiana after Eddie left the Air Force so that Eddie could farm in their hometown.

Soon after Eddie and Sue returned to Sullivan, they purchased the farmhouse where Eddie would live until his passing. Their third child, Leslie, was born in Sullivan. Eddie loved farming and continued to farm until the 2024 season. Eddie also worked as a school bus driver while his children were in school and served on the Sullivan County School Board of Education for several years.

In addition to Eddie’s love of farming, Eddie was a dedicated father and grandfather. His children fondly remember many camping and boating trips growing up, and Eddie always had time to take his grandchildren out for a ride on the tractor or to fish in the nearby pond.  Eddie also had a soft spot for animals and would regularly take in stray cats and dogs to live on his farm.

Eddie was a long-time member of the First Baptist Church with his wife Sue. He attended Sunday School and church services there on a regular basis with life-long friends.  In addition to going to church, he lived a life of meaningful acts of love and service, as Christ has instructed.

Eddie was preceded in death by his wife, his parents, John and Hazel McDonnall, and his brother, Dick McDonnall. He is survived by his son John (Hollie) McDonnall; daughters Melinda (Donnie) Phegley and Leslie (Norm) Koenig; his grandchildren Josh (Cassie Followell) Phegley, Jordan (Britney) Phegley, Ali (Michael) Renes (née Koenig), Jonathan (Kelli) Phegley, John Dylan (Denisha) McDonnall and Cade (Cat) Koenig; and his great-grandchildren Brylee Phegley, Riley McDonnall, Noah Phegley, Isaac Phegley, Edwin Renes, Charles Renes, Harper and Hadley Phegley.

Eddie was a well-loved and respected member of the Sullivan community who loved his family dearly. He was an amazing father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle and friend. Eddie touched the lives of so many people. He will truly be missed and will never be forgotten.

A graveside service will be held at Center Ridge Cemetery on Friday, April 11, 2025, at 2:00 pm. with Pastor David Lisman officiating.