He worked in Quality Control for Frito-Lay in Madison, Wis., was transferred to Wooster, Ohio, as Q.A. Manager for the northeast division of Frito-Lay. He was a plant manager for Bordens Foods in Bronx, N.Y., plant manager for Fairmont Foods, in Rockford, Ill., and plant manager for Tony’s Pizza, where he soon fell in love with the state of Kansas because of the easy access to hunting and fishing.

He was a partner in Sportsman’s Marine, and later founded The Kansas Bean Co, Inc., Ramaco Inc, and a partner in T&T. Along the way, he became more interested and involved in farming and the conservation for wildlife. Just a few of his pastimes included coaching little leagues, girl’s softball, peewee football, T-ball, men’s softball, Indian Guides, wildlife badges in Boy Scouts, The Kansas Walleye Assoc., and Pheasant’s Forever, and he was a member of the Chamber of Commerce and the YMCA.

He is survived by his wife, Sally Donatell, of the home; one daughter, Carmen Porterfield and husband Don, of Overland Park; two sons, Tom A. Donatell and wife Marci, of Salina, and Brian Donatell, of Kansas City, Mo.; six granddaughters, Megan, Camille, Elizabeth and Alexandria Porterfield, of Overland Park, and Madison and Caroline Donatell, of Salina; one grandson, Colin Porterfield, of Overland Park; two sisters, Mary Byrkit and husband Bill, and Susan Stensvold and husband John, all of Stone Lake, Wis.; three brothers, Mr. Mike Donatell, of Hudson, Wis., Mr. And Mrs. John Donatell, of Naperville, Ill., and Bruce Donatell, of Minneapolis, Minn.; one sister-in-law, Jan Donatell, of Manitowac, Wis.; nine nephews; and five nieces.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Henry Donatell, of Manitowac, Wis.; and son, Timothy Donatell, of Salina.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Ryan Mortuary, Salina, where family will receive friends from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. A vigil will be said at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the mortuary, followed by a family rosary service.

Funeral services will be at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday at St. Mary Queen of the Universe Catholic Church, with Father Kerry Ninemire and Father Nick Parker officiating. Interment will follow at Roselawn Memorial Park, Salina.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials to the Tom Donatell Scholarship fund to be awarded at a later date.