James T. Donlan, 71, of Carman, Illinois, died January 8, 2026, at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in Iowa City.
Born August 29, 1954, in Burlington, Iowa, he was the son of James L. Sr. and Margaret A. (Bowman) Donlan.
He served as a Sargeant in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War. Enlisting in 1972 in Burlington and discharged in 1976 at Camp Pendleton.
He married Melodee A. Sargeant on April 27, 1979, in Burlington, Iowa.
Jim worked as a maintenance worker for Des Moines County secondary roads for 31 years, until his retirement at the age of 55. After retirement, he served as the Carman Township Road Commissioner and was the long-time caretaker for Carman Cemetery and the Carman church.
He was a member of the American Legion, AFSCME, Carman United Methodist Church, the Lomax Baseball Association, and the Southeast Iowa Officials Association. He was the current President of the Carman Veteran Memorial Project.
Jim was an amazing man. His family, each one of them, including extended, he loved with all his heart. He was a big softy and would give the shirt off his back and his last dollar to anyone who needed it. Including helping and taking care of his community. He coached and umpired for many years, in baseball, softball, and basketball. He loved every kid he coached and will forever be known as Coach Jim to those kids. That led to him watching his grandkids play sports in school. He did not miss a game. Even his granddaughter’s volleyball games, which he ended up enjoying very much, and the mornings and days he spent with his great-grandson. There was not a day he missed calling his children or grandchildren or seeing them. He truly enjoyed the cruise he took with his wife and her family, and the trips to Tennessee. Don’t worry, Dad, we are still going this summer for you!
Being a Marine was something he loved; everyone knew from his hats and shirts that he proudly wore. He and Amanda started working on getting a veterans' memorial put up in Carman Cemetery. Don’t worry, Dad, Amanda will still make it happen…we were so close. It is her mission to have it up by the end of this year!
He meant so much to so many people and created a hole in so many hearts. We will never forget you, and we love you always and forever.
He is survived by his wife Melodee Donlan of Carman, Illinois, his children, Tanya (Adam) Robertson of New London, Iowa and James Donlan III, Amanda (Jason) Rankin, David (Shana) Donlan and Gunner all of Carman, Illinois; daughter-in-law Cortessa White; grandchildren, Paul (Rosie) McGriff, Dylan Rankin, Autumn Rankin, Ciefeara Donlan, Zach Gaydosh, Logan, and Ashley (Adolph) Aguilar; great grandchildren, Braxton and Briar McGriff, Vivianne Rankin and Serenity, Adolph Jr., Alex and Aiden Aguilar; brother Mark A. (Colleen) Donlan of Burlington, Iowa; sister Angela Ashbaker; nieces and nephews, Audra, Tyler, Marcus, Travis, Nichole, Rion; many great nieces and nephews; adopted children, Jennifer Price, Shawn Staub, Alex Sea, Hannah and Josh Weaver, Monica, Zac, C.J. and Cullen and too many to add but you know who you are.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Jeff Donlan, sister Kayla Jean, and niece Crystal Young.
Visitation will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Friday, January 16, 2026, at Lunning Chapel, where the family will receive friends.
The funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. Saturday, January 17th at Lunning Chapel.. The Hamilton Walters Marine Corps League Detachment 616 will render military honors. Burial will follow in Carman Cemetery, Carman, Illinois.
A memorial has been established for his grandchildren’s education