Garry Ray McDonell

Garry McDonell, age 68, of Neillsville, Wisconsin, passed quietly with his family by his side on September 24, 2026, at UW Hospital in Madison, Wisconsin.

Garry was born on December 29, 1957, to Lawrence and Dorothy (Bell) McDonell. He attended Bay View High School and, after leaving high school, attended MATC in Milwaukee studying Foundry Mold Design and Making.

Garry's parents purchased property in the Columbia area of Clark County, and the family would travel there on weekends and during the summers. It was during those years that Garry discovered how much he loved country life. He would stay with Bill and Irma Solberger during the summer months and whenever he was not in school. There, he learned many things, including the history of the Columbia area. Eventually, Garry made the permanent move to Neillsville. If you didn't know Garry, you would never have known he was a "city kid."

Garry was united in marriage to Jacqueline (Thur) McDonell on February 12, 1983. Together, they had two daughters, Jamie (James) Wampole and Megan McDonell, and two grandsons, Adam and Ethan Wampole.

Garry was a strong, caring, and hardworking man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to anyone who needed it. He loved his family deeply and found his greatest joy in spending time with them. He especially treasured his grandsons, Adam and Ethan, and was so proud of them.

He loved joking around with his daughters, Jamie and Megan. He and Megan shared a particularly special sense of humor that brought plenty of laughter to their time together.

Garry loved fishing, dog sledding, in his younger years, cutting firewood, logging, generally being outdoors, and the simple pleasures of home. Some of his favorite moments were spent sitting on the porch with his wife, Jackie, and their dogs, Yogi and Nanny, enjoying the peace and beauty around him.

Garry was also a talented athlete. In 1976, he became a Golden Gloves Welterweight Boxing Champion, an accomplishment that reflected the strength, determination, and perseverance he carried throughout his life.

Garry fought hard for the chance to receive a lung transplant. After years of health struggles and relying on oxygen, he was blessed with new lungs and the precious opportunity to experience life without oxygen, even if only for a short time. Though his time with us was cut short, we find comfort in knowing that he is now at peace.

Garry will be deeply missed by his family, friends, and all who knew him.

Garry is survived by his beloved wife, Jackie; daughters, Jamie (James) Wampole and Megan McDonell; grandsons, Adam and Ethan Wampole; mother, Dorothy McDonell; mother-in-law, Kathryn Thur; brother, Shawn (Lisa) McDonell; sister, Sue Ann (Richard) Beecher; and brothers-in-law, Jeffrey and Jeremy Thur.

He was preceded in death by his grandson, Briley McDonell; father, Lawrence McDonell; and father-in-law, Arnold Thur.

A Memorial Service for Garry will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 24, 2026, at Gesche Funeral Home in Neillsville. Pastor Terry Marg will officiate. Visitation will be from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., Saturday, October 24th at the Gesche Funeral Home. Following the service, a reception will be held at Deerview, N451 County Road J, Merrillan, WI 54754.

Rest peacefully, Garry. You fought so hard. Your work here is done. You can finally breathe free. Until we meet again, you will always be loved, always be missed, and forever be in our hearts.