Tuesday, December 10, 2002
JONESBORO, Ill. -- Donald E. Peavler, 60, of Jonesboro died Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002, at Union County Hospital in Anna, Ill.
He was born Aug. 20, 1942, in Bloomington, Ill., son of Earl Lee and Leta Margaret Lillienthal Peavler. He and Janice Gray were married March 28, 1964.
Peavler was mailroom supervisor with Wisconsin Physicians Services in Marion, Ill. He was a member of First Christian Church in Anna.
He was a veteran.
Survivors include his wife; a daughter, Victoria Stout of Jonesboro; a son, Scott Peavler of Cape Girardeau; two brothers, David and Larry Peavler of Normal, Ill.; four sisters, Mary "Peggy" Cummings of Normal, Betty Nierstheimer of Bloomington, Judy Wood of Peotone, Ill., Sandy Ehrmann of Arizona; and a granddaughter.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may call at Hileman and Parr Funeral Home from 5 to 8 p.m. today.
The funeral will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with Dr. Dave Soucie officiating.
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The following was written by classmates for our 50th Reunion Booklet. Led by a dedicated team of local classmates, the project was titled:
"BHS CLASS OF '60 FOOTPRINTS"
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Don was a classmate of mine at Emerson School. I remember that he and Jerry Tyler were neighbors and best friends during those years. On a couple of rare occasions, I was allowed to go home with the two of them to play after school. I loved climbing up and sliding down a humongous barrel (gasoline?) that was on the way, and then arriving at Donny's house with the best-ever climbing tree in the front yard. What fun we had! In high school I know Donald was on the wrestling and track teams, and managed the football team. To be mentioned in our "Senior Class Will" alongside Suan Guess speaks volumes for his artistic talent.
(Barbara Stumm)
Donald liked poetry. On the street one day, he read me one of his, and I told him one of mine. Such a small gesture, but I have always remembered it with fondness. Iʼm thinking the reason he stopped me that day to share poetry was because he was in our big Short Story Club that I was president of our senior year.
We had so many members by spring, and some kids who just came a few times to hear the speakers, as we were successful in inviting famous writers to come and speak to us. I won the poetry prize at our banquet that spring, so I think this is why Don wanted me to hear his.
(Judy Rockwell)