John J. Donley

John J. Donley of Wilmington, DE passed away on April 26, 2026, with his wife and son at his side at Wilmington Hospital after a recurring health challenge.  Born in Johnstown, PA in 1927, he was the son of the late George and Catherine (Kovalcik) Donley and the youngest of eight.

John was raised in Johnstown, PA, graduating from Johnstown High School in the Class of 1945.  He then served in the United States Navy’s Naval Air Corps during the last year of World War II, first on the aircraft carrier HMS Tracker (a British ship on loan to the U.S. Navy) as part of an air group responsible for plane takeoffs, landings and deck gunnery.  His entire air group was then assigned after World War II to the aircraft carrier USS Tarawa (CV-40), one of 24 new Essex-class carriers at that time, where John completed his term in the United States Navy.  During his service, John traveled through the Panama Canal three times.

Following his military service, he briefly worked at Bethlehem Steel Gautier Works in Johnstown, PA until the following year, when he attended Temple University in Philadelphia, PA, graduating in 1950 as a member of the Delta Sigma Pi professional business fraternity.  He then worked in Finance in the Comptroller’s Group and several departments of the DuPont Company in Wilmington, DE for 35 years, before retiring in 1985.

Over the years, he enjoyed following business and financial news, current events, politics, professional football and baseball and college football, along with woodworking, metalworking and many home maintenance projects.  He was also a parishioner of St. Mary Magdalen Catholic Church in Wilmington, DE for over 50 years.

John is survived by his wife of over 61 years, Betty (Yeager) Donley, his son Garrett Donley and several nieces and nephews and their families.  He was preceded in death by his parents, seven brothers and sisters, and several nephews.