Edward W. Donovan

SSG Edward W. Donovan, United States Army passed away on April 26, 2006 at Fort Stewart, Georgia. Edward (Ed) was born August 28, 1965 to Dr. Edward W. Donovan Sr. and Shelby (Davis) Donovan in Anderson, South Carolina. After graduating from Grandview High School in 1983 he enlisted in the Army as an infantryman. He began his service life at Fort Benning, GA where he attended the Infantry School and was assigned to 1/17th Infantry Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Korea. In 1984 he was transferred to 2/16th Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, KS. In 1987 SSG Donovan was assigned to 3/47th Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, Fort Lewis, WA and was deployed to the Sinai as a Multinational Force and Observer. He was reassigned in 1989 to 5/502 Infantry Battalion, Berlin Brigade, Berlin, Germany. In 1990 he left the service and reentered civilian life and became a police officer. SSG Edward W. Donovan was a police officer from 1992 - 2004. During this time he worked for three agencies in the Kansas City metropolitan area. He attended 590 hours of P.O.S.T. certified academy training, as well as many hours of continuing education training. His duties have included: patrol officer, field training officer, D.A.R.E. officer, patrol sergeant, detective, canine supervisor and Chief of Police in Freeman, MO. In 2003 he enlisted into the Kansas National Guard and was assigned to 2/137th Infantry Battalion, 218th Infantry Brigade, Kansas City, KS. He once again entered the active Army in May of 2004 and was stationed at Fort Stewart, GA and deployed to Iraq with 3rd Battalion, 7th Infantry. In September 2005, he was assigned to Delta Battery, 1-39 FA (MLRS). SSG Donovan's schools included the Primary Leadership Development Course and the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course. SSG Donovan had completed one year of college. His awards and decorations earned include the Army Commendation Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Good Conduct Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, the Army of Occupation Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Defense Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Multinational Forces and Observers Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge and the Expert Infantryman Badge. SSG Donovan, better known as Ed to his family and friends had a passion for painting historical miniatures and figures. He was an avid reader, loved all types of music and enjoyed World War II history. Ed's sense of humor was second to none, he could walk into a room and bring joy to those around him with his sense of humor. Ed is survived by his devoted wife and best friend Jenny (Admire) Donovan and his daughter Shelby R. Donovan of the home; his son Bradley S. Donovan and daughter Ariel R. Donovan of Belton, MO, his sister Patricia Donovan, Land O' Lakes, Florida (formerly of Belton, MO), nieces, Christie Harness and Amanda Harness and great nephew Jaxon Harness, Land O' Lakes, FL. Ed will be sadly missed by his fellow soldiers, family and friends. Funeral services will be Wednesday, May 10th at 1 p.m., at Cullen Funeral Home, 612 N. Foxwood Dr., Raymore, MO. Burial will be at Belton Cemetery, Belton, MO. (Arr: Cullen Funeral Home, Raymore, MO).