BUTLER COUNTY, KANSAS

Obituaries


Phillip A. McDonough

Former Mayor Is Dead

Phillip A. McDonough, former mayor and city commissioner of El Dorado, died Saturday afternoon when he was suddenly stricken at his home, 1115 West Third avenue.  He had been in failing health.

Funeral services for Mr. McDonough, 70, will be conducted Tuesday, at 10 a.m. at St. John's Church.  The Reverent Father J. Patrick Mannion, of Wichita, wil officiate.  Interment will be made in Sunset Lawns cemetery with military rites at the graveside.

A recitationof the Rosary will be held Monday at 8 p.m. and by the Knights of Columbus at 8:15 p.m. at the Kirby Funeral Home chapel.

Mr. McDonough served as mayor of El Dorado in 1941.  He was a member of the city commission from 1940 until 1948. 

He was chairman of the committee in charge of land purchase and construction of the American Legion club house and golf course.

Phil McDonough was a man whose memory El Dorado will delight in honor.  Over past years, his contributions to his community were varied and ponderable.  As an active member of Capt. Edgar Dale Post of the American Legion, he helped to stimulate and direct that organization's broad development program which culminated in its becoming established as one of this town's strongest institutions.

The eight years he served on the El Dorado city commission were memorable--and highly valuable in quality.  He was associated during a part of that time, at least, with such stalward colleagues as Clarence Rice and the late W. E. Robbins.  No city commissioner in the history of the town ever worked harder on his municipal task or took it more seriously.  He demonstrated himself to be a sincere and tireless public servant.  The net effect of his superb work was to create a firm foundation upon which successive commissions have been able to expand the functions of city government.  Mr. McDonough was well liked and leaves a host of friends.

He moved to this area 42 years ago, settling in Oil Hill.  While living in that community he was employed by the Empire Oil and Gas company for three years prior to entering the grocery busines in 1923.

Three years later he purchased a grocery sore in El Dorado at 611 West Central avenue.  He operated the store until retiring in 1953.

Mr. McDonough attended Springfield Teachers College.  He was an instructor in Missouri country and city schools prior to moving to Kansas.

He was a veteran of World War I.

Mr. McDonough was a member of St. John's Church and a charter member of the local council of the Knights of Columbus.  Other membership included that of Capt. Edgar Dale Post No. 81 American Legion.

He was born Oct. 20, 1893, at Purvis, Mo.  Mr. McDonough and Mary Margaret Mannion were married here on Sept. 14, 1926.  She survives.

Also surviving are two sisters, Mrs. T. M. Armstrong and Mrs. Lon V. Adams, both of Wichita; three brothers, Ross and Frank, both of Wichita, and Peter J. McDonough, of Versailles, Mo.
(El Dorado Times ~ 28 Sept 1964)

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Funeral Rites Held For Phil McDonough

Funeral services for Philip A. McDonough, 70, former El Dorado mayor and city commissioner, were conducted this morning at St. John's Church.  Mr. McDonough died suddenly Saturday at his home, 1115 West Third.

The Rev. Father J. Patrick Mannion, of Wichita, was the officiant.

Serving as casket bearers were L. C. Fox, James A. Eaton, Austin Woodyard, R. C. Woodward, James R. Denny and Joe D. Faulconer.

Ushers included A. J. Lehr, Charles E. Smith, Raymond Siegrist and H. A. Vestring.

Interment was made in Sunset Lawns cemetery with military rites at the graveside by members of the American Legion.

Flag folders were Wilbur Morris and Frank Perry.  Mike Gard and John Templin were buglers. 

The Kirby Funeral Home was in charge.
(El Dorado Times ~ 29 Sept 1964)

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Heart Attack Is Fatal For Phil McDonough

Rites were held Tuesday morning in St. John's Catholic church for Philip A. McDonough, a former mayor of El Dorado, who died suddenly at his home, 1115 West Third avenue, Saturday afternoon, September 26.  A nephew, The Rev. Fr. Patrick Mannion officiated.  The ushers were A. J. Lehr, Raymond Siegrist, Charles E. Smith and H. A. Vestring.  The casket bearers were L. C. Fox, Austin Woodyard, James R. Denny, James A. Eaton, Richard C. Woodward and Joe D. Faulconer.  Military rites and interment were at Sunset Lawns.

Recitations of the Rosary were at 8 o'clock and, for the Knights of Columbus, at 8:15 Monday night at the Kirby Funeral Home.

The sudden death of Mr. McDonough was a shock to the family and a great many friends.  Among his many admirable attributes was kindliness in work and deed.

Mr. McDonough was born October 20, 1893 at Purvis, Mo., and was married to Mary Margaret (May) Mannion in El Dorado Septeber 14, 1926.  He was a member of St. John's Catholic church, and a charter member of the local council of Knights of Columbus.

For eight years, from 1940 until 1948, Mr. McDonough was a member of the El Dorado City Commission, and in 1941 served as mayor of the city.  His  was an interesting career.  He attended Springfield (Missouri) Teachers College and taught nine years in country and city schools, and he served in the United States Infantry in World War One.  In 1920 he came to Kansas and was employed by the Empire Oil & Gas Co., until engaging in the grocery business in 1923.  Three years later he purchased the store at 611 West Central avenue which he operated until his retirement in 1953.

Mr. McDonough was a member of the Edgar Dale Post of American Legion more than forty years, and was a member of the Past Commanders Club.  He was chairman of the committee in charge of purchasing the land and building the Legion gold course and clubhouse.

Surviving are Mrs. McDonough; two sisters and three brothers, Mrs. T. M. Armstrong, Mrs. Lon Adams and Ross and Frank McDonough, all of Wichita; and Peter J. McDonough of Versailles, Mo.
(El Dorado Times ~ 1 Oct 1964)