JIM O’DONNELL, beloved husband of Cheryl and loving father of Cody, Jeff, Dustin, Lacey and Darby, passed away very peacefully on Friday, August 17, 2012 at St. Michael’s Palliative Care Unit at the age of 66 years.
Jim was born on Dec 15, 1945 in Taber, AB, grew up in Picture Butte, spent 2 years in California playing football and furthering his education in Agriculture, worked throughout AB and SK in his Ag career and returned to his southern Alberta roots in 1984. He and Cheryl were married on Feb 22, 1987 and by 1994 were blessed with 3 sons and 2 daughters. Cody, Jeff, Dustin and Lacey were his pride and joy and even though his last daughter, Darby, was stillborn, she was a blessing to the family - a continual reminder of the sovereignty of God and our need to trust Him through the highs and lows in life. Jim retired from his Ag career in 1993. This choice allowed him to spend more time at home with his growing family. Family meant the world to Jim. He and Cheryl have worked together since then at their 2 family businesses - CJD Trucking and Western Stockman.
Jim was predeceased by his parents, Fred & Thelma, brother Dennis, niece Carrie, daughter Darby Lee and mother in law Anne Neufeld. He is survived by his wife Cheryl, sons Cody, Jeff (girlfriend Patricia) and Dustin (girlfriend Ramona), daughter Lacey, sister Pat (Jack) Whimster, brother Terry (Sue) O’Donnell , father in law Vern (Ruth) Neufeld, sister in law Sylvia (Bill) Klassen, and many special nieces and nephews.
Jim was a man of quick wit with a unique sense of humor - traits that stayed with him right to the end. He was blessed with many friends in his lifetime. This was so evident by the continuous stream of visitors he had all throughout his battle with cancer. Jim’s death leaves big holes in many many hearts. A Prayer Service will be held at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, AB on Thursday, Aug. 23 at 7:00 P.M. with Deacon Ray & Ellen Wagner, officiating. The Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH on Friday, Aug. 24 at 1:00 P.M. with Reverend Thomas Vadassery, Celebrant. All are then welcome to join the procession for interment to Mountain View Cemetery, followed by a luncheon celebration at The Coast Hotel. At Jim’s request, in his memory (in lieu of flowers) please support his cousin’s 12 year old grandson, Holden Heppler, who is doing a “Locks of Love” cancer fundraiser. Donations can be mailed to The O’Donnell Family, Box 726 Lethbridge, AB T1J 3Z6 (cheques payable to Canadian Cancer Society) or online at Holden’s website http.//blba.us/i.asp?id=492657-364025135-1.

Honoured to serve the family, CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATORIUM, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge, Alberta T1K 7B1. Telephone (403) 381-7777. E-mail: care@cornerstonefh.ca