Roy E. Donnoe

Roy Eugene Donnoe, 83, of Savoy, IL, and formerly of Lafayette, IN, passed away at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana, IL, on Sunday, December 1, 2024. He was born in Lafayette, January 21, 1941, the eldest son of Roy Samuel and Francis Irene (Bayless) Donnoe. Roy was a graduate of Lafayette Central Catholic High School and Purdue University. He married Sara E. Moyer at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lafayette June 15, 1963. Roy worked for Caterpillar, Inc. for many years, starting in Peoria and later in Tannochside, Scotland; Joliet, IL; and Clayton, North Carolina. Prior to that, he worked as a plumber/pipefitter for ALCOA. 

To indulge a lifelong love of woodworking and refinishing antique furniture, Roy built himself a woodshop. He was also an avid hunter and fisherman; loved farming, which he talked about often; and enjoyed gardening and playing cards. Roy was fond of traveling, including to locations such as Hawaii, Italy, Belgium, Germany, Scotland, Mexico, and China.

Despite his gruff exterior, Roy was a generous and caring person. In North Carolina, he delivered a case of bananas weekly to be distributed in lunches for the unhoused. Later, he collected a banana at each meal for Sara. These bananas were made into ‘Roy’s Bananas Bread’ and given to his caregivers and friends.

Roy loved his family deeply. Surviving are three daughters, Karen E. Patterson (John A.) of Fishers, IN, Theresa Ann Green (E. Casey) of Atlanta, GA, and Sheila Kay Patterson (Patrick) of Savoy, IL; and one son, Brian Edward Donnoe of Indianapolis, IN. Also surviving is a sister, Marie "Susie" Donnoe of Winter Haven, FL; six grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter. He was preceded in death by 2 brothers, Ivan and Joe. 

Friends may call at St. Mary's Cathedral in Lafayette from 10:30am until the Mass of Christian Burial at11:30am Friday December 20, 2024, Fr. Joshua Janko officiating. The interment service will be held immediately following at Oxford Catholic Cemetery, Oxford, IN. Hahn-Groeber Funeral Home of Lafayette is honored to serve the Donnoe family. Please leave memories and condolences at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com.