Donald Francis Rooney, had quest for knowledge
Donald Francis Rooney, 85, of Harbeson, passed away peacefully at home with his beloved wife and other family members Saturday, Sept. 7, 2019, after years of living with advanced macular degeneration, Parkinson's disease and Lewy Body Dementia.
Don was born March 27, 1934, in Vincennes, Ind., to James D. Rooney and Estella I. Denem. His father lost a leg in a tragic accident when Don was young. The family moved to Indianapolis, Ind. for treatment, and the church helped them through this difficult time. He was mentored by his pastor who remained important in his life as an adult. He was active in the youth group as a speaker and actor, and he joined the church choir. He graduated in three years from Arsenal Technical High School, then attended Anderson College, Anderson, Ind., to study for the ministry. His future wife, Linda Mauler, also graduated early to attend college with him.
They were married June 12, 1953, while still in college. Their daughter Linda Jo was born in 1954, followed by their son Mike in 1956. They accepted an offer to pastor a small country church in Athens, Tenn. They loved the church and the church loved them, but it was a struggle financially with their growing family, so they returned to Indianapolis with two young children and a third on the way (Kevin).
Don began work as a Sun Life Insurance agent where he was very successful. Eventually in 1965, shortly after the birth of his fourth child Todd, Don was promoted to manage the new Sun Life office in Northern Virginia. In 1971, he started Rooney Insurance Agency and was successful with Linda Jo as his first assistant, and later with his wife Linda, then Mike and Todd.
Don remained involved in his churches, singing in the choir and as a soloist, and occasionally preaching and performing marriages. After retiring, Don and Linda moved to Rehoboth in 2002, and began attending Epworth UMC. He volunteered with New Life Thrift Store and Hospice and he organized a weekend meeting on racial reconciliation; he was a 32nd degree Mason and long-time member of AA. He was proud of his many years of sobriety.
Don spent most of his adult life in a quest for knowledge. He had an inquisitive mind, and was always reading a new book, discussing politics, history, world events, social justice, other cultures, and religion.
He loved to exchange ideas with others and also loved telling stories and jokes with family and friends. He enjoyed traveling, boating, and making the perfect clams casino. He also loved playing games to win with the whole family.
No remembrance of Don Rooney would be complete without emphasizing the deep and abiding love he shared with his beloved wife of 66 years, Linda. From that fateful first hayride as teenagers where they fell madly in love, through the challenges of raising a large family and building a family business, through the hardships of later years facing serious illness, their love shone like a beacon. For all of their family, their love continues to be a shining example of what it means to have found one’s true soulmate in life.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Catherine I. McCready and Norma Jean Neeley; his youngest grandson, Thomas Rooney, preceded him in death Sept. 6, 2019. He is survived by his wife of 66 years Linda Ruth Mauler, and his four children, Linda Jo Hess (James), Michael Rooney (Kim), John Kevin Rooney (Nancy), and Todd Rooney (Kelly); grandchildren, Cheryl Reese (Athen), Christopher Hess, Andrew Rooney, Brian Rooney (Moria), Douglas Rooney (Joelle), Elena Rooney, Patrick Rooney, and John Rooney; three great-grandchildren, Erica, Avery and Cameron; and his sisters Phyllis Morales (Manuel) of Indiana and Patricia Rooney of Florida.
A Celebration of Life service will be held at Epworth United Methodist Church, 19285 Holland Glade Road, Rehoboth Beach, at 11 a.m., Monday, Oct. 14, with visitation at 10 a.m., followed by a reception in Fellowship Hall.
In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Epworth UMC Music Department.
