QUINCY - Donald C. Cantrell, 84, Quincy, died Monday, May 29, 2017, in his home.
He was born at home in Mendon on May 30, 1932, to the late William Thomas Cantrell and Elizabeth Catherine (Swunk) Cantrell. Donald was the eighth of 10 children born to this union. Don was only 6 years old when his mother died. He attended Mendon Grade School and Mendon Township High School. During high school he enjoyed playing sports, where he made many friends, and he especially enjoyed playing football. In his junior year, the school was closed and renamed Unity High School; Don graduated from here in 1951.
After graduation he worked in Keokuk, Iowa, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. His basic training was in Fort Beloid, Virginia, and he was stationed there while he trained to be in the military police. The Army later transferred him to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He stayed in the Army until he was discharged in 1954.
He then returned home to Mendon and worked for one year at Kropp Oil Co. while staying with his sister Isabelle and family. In 1956 he went to Galesburg to work for the C, B and Q Railroad for 12 years as a train conductor, which he truly enjoyed.
On June 19, 1960, he married Barbara Knear of Galesburg. In 1968 he started Cantrell Rental Service in Galesburg. He was a well-known owner/operator of this successful business for 28 years and took great pride in his business. During this time, Don was a member of many community organizations, including the Elks and Kiwanis.
In 1989, Barb and Don dissolved their marriage, and in 1996, Don closed Cantrell Rental Service after 28 years so he could retire. He moved to Quincy in 2010 and was employed as a grain truck driver for Ursa Farmers Coop. He also mowed yards and was known as a fix-it-all man, helping with many maintenance jobs for many friends.
He dearly enjoyed family gatherings. Some favorite pastimes of Don's were playing cards, dancing with his sweetheart and watching the Bears football games.
He is survived by his two sons, Steve (Patty) Cantrell of Ohio and Mark Cantrell of Florida; and four grandchildren, Michael, Kyle and Nicole Cantrell of Ohio and Larkin Cantrell of Florida. Also surviving is one brother, Gerald Cantrell of Missouri, and many nieces and nephews, especially in the Quincy area. In addition to family, he is survived by a very special friend, Mary Lou Schoch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Junior, Raymond, Ralph and and Bud Cantrell; and four sisters, Ethel Meyer, Isabelle Branstetter, Ruby Welte and Dolores Rose.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home with Keith Ehresman. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great River Honor Flight.
He was born at home in Mendon on May 30, 1932, to the late William Thomas Cantrell and Elizabeth Catherine (Swunk) Cantrell. Donald was the eighth of 10 children born to this union. Don was only 6 years old when his mother died. He attended Mendon Grade School and Mendon Township High School. During high school he enjoyed playing sports, where he made many friends, and he especially enjoyed playing football. In his junior year, the school was closed and renamed Unity High School; Don graduated from here in 1951.
After graduation he worked in Keokuk, Iowa, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. His basic training was in Fort Beloid, Virginia, and he was stationed there while he trained to be in the military police. The Army later transferred him to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He stayed in the Army until he was discharged in 1954.
He then returned home to Mendon and worked for one year at Kropp Oil Co. while staying with his sister Isabelle and family. In 1956 he went to Galesburg to work for the C, B and Q Railroad for 12 years as a train conductor, which he truly enjoyed.
On June 19, 1960, he married Barbara Knear of Galesburg. In 1968 he started Cantrell Rental Service in Galesburg. He was a well-known owner/operator of this successful business for 28 years and took great pride in his business. During this time, Don was a member of many community organizations, including the Elks and Kiwanis.
In 1989, Barb and Don dissolved their marriage, and in 1996, Don closed Cantrell Rental Service after 28 years so he could retire. He moved to Quincy in 2010 and was employed as a grain truck driver for Ursa Farmers Coop. He also mowed yards and was known as a fix-it-all man, helping with many maintenance jobs for many friends.
He dearly enjoyed family gatherings. Some favorite pastimes of Don's were playing cards, dancing with his sweetheart and watching the Bears football games.
He is survived by his two sons, Steve (Patty) Cantrell of Ohio and Mark Cantrell of Florida; and four grandchildren, Michael, Kyle and Nicole Cantrell of Ohio and Larkin Cantrell of Florida. Also surviving is one brother, Gerald Cantrell of Missouri, and many nieces and nephews, especially in the Quincy area. In addition to family, he is survived by a very special friend, Mary Lou Schoch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Junior, Raymond, Ralph and and Bud Cantrell; and four sisters, Ethel Meyer, Isabelle Branstetter, Ruby Welte and Dolores Rose.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home with Keith Ehresman. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great River Honor Flight.
QUINCY - Donald C. Cantrell, 84, Quincy, died Monday, May 29, 2017, in his home.
He was born at home in Mendon on May 30, 1932, to the late William Thomas Cantrell and Elizabeth Catherine (Swunk) Cantrell. Donald was the eighth of 10 children born to this union. Don was only 6 years old when his mother died. He attended Mendon Grade School and Mendon Township High School. During high school he enjoyed playing sports, where he made many friends, and he especially enjoyed playing football. In his junior year, the school was closed and renamed Unity High School; Don graduated from here in 1951.
After graduation he worked in Keokuk, Iowa, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. His basic training was in Fort Beloid, Virginia, and he was stationed there while he trained to be in the military police. The Army later transferred him to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He stayed in the Army until he was discharged in 1954.
He then returned home to Mendon and worked for one year at Kropp Oil Co. while staying with his sister Isabelle and family. In 1956 he went to Galesburg to work for the C, B and Q Railroad for 12 years as a train conductor, which he truly enjoyed.
On June 19, 1960, he married Barbara Knear of Galesburg. In 1968 he started Cantrell Rental Service in Galesburg. He was a well-known owner/operator of this successful business for 28 years and took great pride in his business. During this time, Don was a member of many community organizations, including the Elks and Kiwanis.
In 1989, Barb and Don dissolved their marriage, and in 1996, Don closed Cantrell Rental Service after 28 years so he could retire. He moved to Quincy in 2010 and was employed as a grain truck driver for Ursa Farmers Coop. He also mowed yards and was known as a fix-it-all man, helping with many maintenance jobs for many friends.
He dearly enjoyed family gatherings. Some favorite pastimes of Don's were playing cards, dancing with his sweetheart and watching the Bears football games.
He is survived by his two sons, Steve (Patty) Cantrell of Ohio and Mark Cantrell of Florida; and four grandchildren, Michael, Kyle and Nicole Cantrell of Ohio and Larkin Cantrell of Florida. Also surviving is one brother, Gerald Cantrell of Missouri, and many nieces and nephews, especially in the Quincy area. In addition to family, he is survived by a very special friend, Mary Lou Schoch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Junior, Raymond, Ralph and and Bud Cantrell; and four sisters, Ethel Meyer, Isabelle Branstetter, Ruby Welte and Dolores Rose.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home with Keith Ehresman. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great River Honor Flight.
He was born at home in Mendon on May 30, 1932, to the late William Thomas Cantrell and Elizabeth Catherine (Swunk) Cantrell. Donald was the eighth of 10 children born to this union. Don was only 6 years old when his mother died. He attended Mendon Grade School and Mendon Township High School. During high school he enjoyed playing sports, where he made many friends, and he especially enjoyed playing football. In his junior year, the school was closed and renamed Unity High School; Don graduated from here in 1951.
After graduation he worked in Keokuk, Iowa, until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1952. His basic training was in Fort Beloid, Virginia, and he was stationed there while he trained to be in the military police. The Army later transferred him to Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He stayed in the Army until he was discharged in 1954.
He then returned home to Mendon and worked for one year at Kropp Oil Co. while staying with his sister Isabelle and family. In 1956 he went to Galesburg to work for the C, B and Q Railroad for 12 years as a train conductor, which he truly enjoyed.
On June 19, 1960, he married Barbara Knear of Galesburg. In 1968 he started Cantrell Rental Service in Galesburg. He was a well-known owner/operator of this successful business for 28 years and took great pride in his business. During this time, Don was a member of many community organizations, including the Elks and Kiwanis.
In 1989, Barb and Don dissolved their marriage, and in 1996, Don closed Cantrell Rental Service after 28 years so he could retire. He moved to Quincy in 2010 and was employed as a grain truck driver for Ursa Farmers Coop. He also mowed yards and was known as a fix-it-all man, helping with many maintenance jobs for many friends.
He dearly enjoyed family gatherings. Some favorite pastimes of Don's were playing cards, dancing with his sweetheart and watching the Bears football games.
He is survived by his two sons, Steve (Patty) Cantrell of Ohio and Mark Cantrell of Florida; and four grandchildren, Michael, Kyle and Nicole Cantrell of Ohio and Larkin Cantrell of Florida. Also surviving is one brother, Gerald Cantrell of Missouri, and many nieces and nephews, especially in the Quincy area. In addition to family, he is survived by a very special friend, Mary Lou Schoch.
He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Junior, Raymond, Ralph and and Bud Cantrell; and four sisters, Ethel Meyer, Isabelle Branstetter, Ruby Welte and Dolores Rose.
Services will be 1 p.m. Thursday, June 1, 2017, at Hunter Funeral Home with Keith Ehresman. Burial will be in Mendon Cemetery. Visitation will be from noon until the time of services on Thursday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Great River Honor Flight.
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