Don E. Potts, 72, of North Pekin, passed away at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born March 26, 1948 in Pekin to Joseph and Beryl (Counterman) Potts, he married Mary Patricia "Patty" Noble Darr on June 5, 1987 in Pekin. She died June 27, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Potts and one sister, Judy Freeman.
Surviving are one daughter, Terra Cranwill of Pekin; two sons, Ricky (Frankie) Van Nattan of Pekin and Shawn Potts of Marquette Heights; a step-son who was more like a son, whom he raised, Darren (Brenda) Darr of Pekin; two stepdaughters, Linda (Wayne) Whitley of Pekin and Lori Darr of Seattle, Washington; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur "Buck" (Pat) Potts of Maryland and two sisters, Josie Shields of Pekin and Mary Vogel of Canton. He also leaves "his squeeze" of 12 plus years, Debbie Markley of North Pekin.
He was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving as a cook aboard the USS Shangri-La. Don was a lifetime member of the North Pekin AMVETS Post 169.
He retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 1999 and also served in plant fire protection while there. He also was a longtime bar and restaurant owner. He owned and operated Pottsies Place in Pekin until his daughter and friend, Tina Gilpin assumed ownership in 2009. He also owned Pottsies Too in Cuba until 2018 and Pottsies Road House Bar and Restaurant in Ipava until 2019. He was a devoted father who loved to hunt and fish with his kids. He was an avid pool player and played in the Busch League and Central Illinois Pool League and was a member of the American Pool Association. He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club, where he served as a track E.M.T. Don also enjoyed gardening. He served the Village of North Pekin as a precinct committeeman and was elected to the Village Board for two terms. He served the North Pekin Fire Department as a rescue lieutenant and as assistant fire chief.
His memorial visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Social distancing and guidelines regarding masks will apply. Burial will be private.
A celebration of life gathering will also be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the North Pekin AMVETS Post, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.
He was able to tell his family goodbye and they are thankful to have that closure. Don also gave the gift of life through Gift of Hope.
Born March 26, 1948 in Pekin to Joseph and Beryl (Counterman) Potts, he married Mary Patricia "Patty" Noble Darr on June 5, 1987 in Pekin. She died June 27, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Potts and one sister, Judy Freeman.
Surviving are one daughter, Terra Cranwill of Pekin; two sons, Ricky (Frankie) Van Nattan of Pekin and Shawn Potts of Marquette Heights; a step-son who was more like a son, whom he raised, Darren (Brenda) Darr of Pekin; two stepdaughters, Linda (Wayne) Whitley of Pekin and Lori Darr of Seattle, Washington; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur "Buck" (Pat) Potts of Maryland and two sisters, Josie Shields of Pekin and Mary Vogel of Canton. He also leaves "his squeeze" of 12 plus years, Debbie Markley of North Pekin.
He was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving as a cook aboard the USS Shangri-La. Don was a lifetime member of the North Pekin AMVETS Post 169.
He retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 1999 and also served in plant fire protection while there. He also was a longtime bar and restaurant owner. He owned and operated Pottsies Place in Pekin until his daughter and friend, Tina Gilpin assumed ownership in 2009. He also owned Pottsies Too in Cuba until 2018 and Pottsies Road House Bar and Restaurant in Ipava until 2019. He was a devoted father who loved to hunt and fish with his kids. He was an avid pool player and played in the Busch League and Central Illinois Pool League and was a member of the American Pool Association. He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club, where he served as a track E.M.T. Don also enjoyed gardening. He served the Village of North Pekin as a precinct committeeman and was elected to the Village Board for two terms. He served the North Pekin Fire Department as a rescue lieutenant and as assistant fire chief.
His memorial visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Social distancing and guidelines regarding masks will apply. Burial will be private.
A celebration of life gathering will also be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the North Pekin AMVETS Post, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.
He was able to tell his family goodbye and they are thankful to have that closure. Don also gave the gift of life through Gift of Hope.
Don E. Potts, 72, of North Pekin, passed away at 7:32 p.m. Tuesday, July 14, 2020 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Born March 26, 1948 in Pekin to Joseph and Beryl (Counterman) Potts, he married Mary Patricia "Patty" Noble Darr on June 5, 1987 in Pekin. She died June 27, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Potts and one sister, Judy Freeman.
Surviving are one daughter, Terra Cranwill of Pekin; two sons, Ricky (Frankie) Van Nattan of Pekin and Shawn Potts of Marquette Heights; a step-son who was more like a son, whom he raised, Darren (Brenda) Darr of Pekin; two stepdaughters, Linda (Wayne) Whitley of Pekin and Lori Darr of Seattle, Washington; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur "Buck" (Pat) Potts of Maryland and two sisters, Josie Shields of Pekin and Mary Vogel of Canton. He also leaves "his squeeze" of 12 plus years, Debbie Markley of North Pekin.
He was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving as a cook aboard the USS Shangri-La. Don was a lifetime member of the North Pekin AMVETS Post 169.
He retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 1999 and also served in plant fire protection while there. He also was a longtime bar and restaurant owner. He owned and operated Pottsies Place in Pekin until his daughter and friend, Tina Gilpin assumed ownership in 2009. He also owned Pottsies Too in Cuba until 2018 and Pottsies Road House Bar and Restaurant in Ipava until 2019. He was a devoted father who loved to hunt and fish with his kids. He was an avid pool player and played in the Busch League and Central Illinois Pool League and was a member of the American Pool Association. He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club, where he served as a track E.M.T. Don also enjoyed gardening. He served the Village of North Pekin as a precinct committeeman and was elected to the Village Board for two terms. He served the North Pekin Fire Department as a rescue lieutenant and as assistant fire chief.
His memorial visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Social distancing and guidelines regarding masks will apply. Burial will be private.
A celebration of life gathering will also be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the North Pekin AMVETS Post, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.
He was able to tell his family goodbye and they are thankful to have that closure. Don also gave the gift of life through Gift of Hope.
Born March 26, 1948 in Pekin to Joseph and Beryl (Counterman) Potts, he married Mary Patricia "Patty" Noble Darr on June 5, 1987 in Pekin. She died June 27, 2006 in Pekin. He also was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas Potts and one sister, Judy Freeman.
Surviving are one daughter, Terra Cranwill of Pekin; two sons, Ricky (Frankie) Van Nattan of Pekin and Shawn Potts of Marquette Heights; a step-son who was more like a son, whom he raised, Darren (Brenda) Darr of Pekin; two stepdaughters, Linda (Wayne) Whitley of Pekin and Lori Darr of Seattle, Washington; ten grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; one brother, Arthur "Buck" (Pat) Potts of Maryland and two sisters, Josie Shields of Pekin and Mary Vogel of Canton. He also leaves "his squeeze" of 12 plus years, Debbie Markley of North Pekin.
He was a United States Navy veteran of the Vietnam War serving as a cook aboard the USS Shangri-La. Don was a lifetime member of the North Pekin AMVETS Post 169.
He retired from Caterpillar, Inc. in 1999 and also served in plant fire protection while there. He also was a longtime bar and restaurant owner. He owned and operated Pottsies Place in Pekin until his daughter and friend, Tina Gilpin assumed ownership in 2009. He also owned Pottsies Too in Cuba until 2018 and Pottsies Road House Bar and Restaurant in Ipava until 2019. He was a devoted father who loved to hunt and fish with his kids. He was an avid pool player and played in the Busch League and Central Illinois Pool League and was a member of the American Pool Association. He was a member of the Peoria Motorcycle Club, where he served as a track E.M.T. Don also enjoyed gardening. He served the Village of North Pekin as a precinct committeeman and was elected to the Village Board for two terms. He served the North Pekin Fire Department as a rescue lieutenant and as assistant fire chief.
His memorial visitation will be from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 18, 2020 at Preston-Hanley Funeral Homes & Crematory in Pekin. Social distancing and guidelines regarding masks will apply. Burial will be private.
A celebration of life gathering will also be held from 2 to 6 p.m. Saturday, August 8, 2020 at the North Pekin AMVETS Post, where military rites will be accorded by the United States Navy at 3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital Midwest Affiliate, 530 Northeast Glen Oak Avenue, Peoria, IL 61637.
He was able to tell his family goodbye and they are thankful to have that closure. Don also gave the gift of life through Gift of Hope.
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