Donald Dean Etcheson, 94, of Vandalia, Illinois, passed away Monday, June 13, 2022, at Fayette County Hospital LTC in Vandalia, IL.
Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM, Friday, June 17, 2022, at Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, with Dr. Ben Foxworth and Pastor Joe Lawson officiating. Burial will follow at Fairlawn Cemetery, Vandalia, IL, with Military Rites by Crawford-Hale American Legion Post #95 & Brownstown VFW Post #9770. Visitation will be held from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM, Friday, 1 hour prior to the service, at the funeral home. Memorials: American Legion Avenue of Flags, and/or Bethel Baptist Church, Vandalia, IL. Miller Funeral Home, Vandalia, IL, is in charge of arrangements. Online memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.millerfh.net.
Donald was born March 5, 1928, in Vandalia Twp., IL, the son of William Edgar & Rosa (Blankenship) Etcheson. He married Berniece Wright, daughter of Murl & Valera Wright on June 15, 1952, at Hurricane Baptist Church, Rural Vandalia, IL. He was a member of Bethel Baptist Church, Rural Vandalia, IL. Prior to becoming a member at Bethel, he was a member of First Baptist Church of Vandalia for 44 years, where he served in the bus ministry and operated the TV camera for 33 years.
Don joined the U.S. Army in 1950 and served as a medical based depot specialist in the Korean War. He was honorably discharged in 1952 and was a life-long member of the American Legion Post #95. He was employed with the Illinois Power Company for 33 years, retiring in 1989. Following his retirement, he drove cars for the local car dealerships for 20 years.
Don enjoyed being a baseball manager for all the local young boys' teams, and he loved to play golf.
He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Berniece Etcheson, Vandalia, IL; Sons - Steven (Ginger), Mahomet, IL and Mark (Debra), Ramsey, IL; 4 Grandchildren and 7 Great Grandchildren: Heather Crandall, Stella and Sam; Alexis (Kevin) Koonce, Jackson and Eli; Chelsie (Aaron) Miller, Tanner and Tucker; and Casey Etcheson and Collin.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; Son, Brad; Brothers, Roy (Margarita), Maurice (Jane), Jesse (Grace), Edgar (Evadine); and Sister, Christina (Rev. Marvin) Elam.
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