Word has been received here of the recent death and burial at Urbana, Illinois of Thomas Edward O’Donnell, 78, an Associate Professor of Architecture Emeritus at the University of Illinois. Professor O’Donnell was a former resident of Sandusky, Ohio, having lived here approximately 10 years as a young man.

Son of Edward O’Donnell and Emma E. Boyd, Professor O’Donnell was born September 5, 1885 in Richland County, Illinois and received a B.S. degree from the University of Illinois in 1913. On October 19, 1914 he was married to the former Dorothy May Miller of Pleasant Valley, W.VA.

The couple made their first home in Sandusky, Ohio, where O’Donnell was architectural draftsman and later partner in the practice of architecture with C. Edward Wolfe. In 1918 the family moved to Urbana, where he became a University of Illinois instructor and where he received his M.S. and M. Arch. in 1924.

In 1921 Professor O’Donnell began teaching the History of Architecture at University of Illinois and continued this until his retirement in 1954. During this period he wrote many articles for architectural magazines and became affiliated with a number of historical societies.

After retirement, he spent much time in the study of the life of Lincoln, having 300 books and 400 pamphlets on Lincoln in his own library. Among his many affiliations, Professor O’Donnell retained his membership in Science Lodge 50, F. & A.M., Sandusky. The family home was at 604 W. Michigan Ave., Urbana, IL.

Surviving are his widow, Dorothy O’Donnell; a son, Robert M. O’Donnell, Denver; a daughter, Mrs. Joseph Bailey, Durham, N.C. and seven grandchildren.

A son, David B. O’Donnell preceded him in death in 1937.

The Sandusky Register (Sandusky, OH) – Saturday, June, 13, 1964