This site is dedicated to the memory of those who came before us - especially my grandfather - Herbert William Donahue, Sr.(pictured above). Without him, this search would never have begun.

Herbert William Donahue, born December 7, 1915 in Batavia, New York, was the second child born to William Walter Donahue and Grace Titsworth. Of his six siblings, two died within one year of their birth - William Leon died in October 1915 at the age of 10 months; and Florence Lorraine on November 30, 1927, 20 days after her birth. Family records indicated that Florence died a "blue baby." Was she a victim of SIDS?

Sometime between 1915 and 1918, William Walter and Grace moved to Latrobe Pennsylvania with their son Herbert. On September 28, 1918, Grace gave birth to their third child - Lillian Grace. In the years between 1918 and 1927 - Grace gave birth to four more children, one of which was Florence Lorraine.

In 1940/1941, Herbert William met Elva Irene Reese daughter of William F. Reese and Laura May Briner. And on September 12, 1941, they were united in marriage by the Reverend Charles V. Elliott in Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Marriage certificate was issued by the Orphans Court of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania(#95959).

Between 1941 and 1952, Elva gave birth to five children: Herbert William, Jr born Jan. 31, 1943; Laura May, born Oct. 30, 1944; Lois Jean, born Aug. 12, 1947; Helen Irene, born Oct. 1, 1949; and Dorothy Ethel, born Feb. 16, 1952.
On May 22, 1942, Herbert enlisted with the U.S. Army. On May 18, 1943, he received an Honorable Discharge for disability at O'Reilly General Hospital in Springfield, Missouri.

July 30, 1961 - Herbert William, who had suffered from heart and kidney problems, died in Greensburg, Pennsylvania at the age of 45. Services were held at the Henry S. Coshey Funeral Home and his body was interred at the Harrold's Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery in Greensburg, Pennsylvania. After his passing, Elva moved to Norh Carolina, where she married her second husband, Olin Howard Smithson.

Click Here to learn more about the Donahue family.

Use the image map, below, to visit the pages on other family surnames, look at some family photos, check out other links, and more. Just click on the name you want to read more about and it will take you there.

NEW  Reese information! Click on the "Reese" name, on the image map.

If you find errors or dead links, please report them to the Webcrafter. ~Thank you~

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