ELKHART -- Wm. Jeffrey "Jeff" Donovan, 59, of Elkhart, Ind., passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2008, at his home.

He was born on Nov. 8, 1948, in Elkhart, Ind., to William Joseph and Alberta F. (Kline) Donovan. On June 29, 1979, he married the former Eileen P. Hainey. She survives in Elkhart along with a son, Dean G. (Beth) Hainey; daughter, Mary Beth Hainey, all of Elkhart; and three grandchildren, Janelle and Jenai White and Mason Hainey.

Also a special nephew, Kevin (Meg) O'Keefe of Chicago, Ill.; his mother, Alberta Donovan of Ocala, Fla.; and three sisters, Malinda Sue (Charles) Downey of Traverse City, Mich., Michele (Robert) Maier of Ocala, Fla., and Laura (George) Marzotto of Osceola, Ind.

Jeff was preceded in death by his father William.

Jeff was a graduate of Elkhart High School and Tri-State College. He owned the Wakarusa Insurance Agency and WaNee Reality and was the vice president of Donovan Insurance business until 1992, when he joined Cressey & Everett Real Estate Company as an associate broker.

In 2004 he joined Realty Group Resources as an associate broker and established Real Estate Resources of Elkhart County as a partner/administrator/instructor for continuing education in real estate and computer training.

Jeff was very active in the real estate community serving on the board of directors from 1995 to 2003; he was elected president of the Elkhart County Board of Realtors in 1999 and president of the Elkhart County Multiple Listing Service in 2001.

He was chosen Agent of the Year by his peers in 2004 and served as regional vice president from 2002 to 2008. He was a certified mediator for the Indiana Association of Realtors, certified as a continuing education teacher & trainer for the Indiana Association of Realtors as well as serving on many other committees.

He was a former member of the Elkhart Jaycees, adviser to Junior Achievement, Mental Health Association and the Elkhart Chapter of the American Red Cross. He served on the St. Thomas the Apostle School Board and was a member of Elks Lodge 425 and Elkhart Moose Lodge 599.

Jeff was an active member of St. Mary of the Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol, Ind., and the Bristol Knights of Columbus Council 11574.

He was a third generation Realtor in Elkhart and St. Joseph counties and had an avid interest in antique automobiles and automobile history.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, where a parish rosary service will conclude the evening at 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, Oct. 18, at 11 a.m. at St. Mary of The Annunciation Catholic Church in Bristol, Ind. At Jeff's request cremation will follow, with burial at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, please direct memorials to The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.

To share a memory of Jeff with his family or to send condolences, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.