Don L. Lingafelter

Don L. Lingafelter, 95 of Aledo, died Monday, March 28, 2011 at the Mercer County Nursing Home, after a short illness. A Mass of Christian Burial will be Friday at 10:30 AM at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Aledo. Burial will be in Aledo Cemetery. Visitation is Thursday from 5 to 8 PM at Speer Funeral Home, where a rosary will be recited at 8:00 PM. Memorials may be made to St. Catherine & St. Anthony’s Catholic Churches. Don was born on January 22, 1916 in New Boston, Township, Mercer County, Illinois to Wilburn S. & Ellen (Welch) Lingafelter. He married Barbara Mead on May 6, 1939 at St. Catherine’s Catholic Church, Aledo. She preceded him in death on May 30, 2004. Don enjoyed farming and raising shorthorn cattle in Ohio Grove Township for 37 years. He raised and sold two reserve grand champions at the Illinois State Fair. Don was also custodian for 28 years for the Ohio Grove School and Aledo High School. He enjoyed bird watching, attending the Mercer County Senior Center and gardening. Don also raised many giant leaves for the big leaf contest at the Aledo Rhubarb Fest. Don was an advocate for Davis Cemetery and helped families once again gain access after being landlocked. He continued to hang the American Flag there until his death. He received state recognition for his work with Davis Cemetery. Those left to cherish Don’s memory include his children and their spouses: Janice Doherty of Aledo; Tom & Phyllis Lingafelter of Sherrard; Donna Lingafelter of Moline; Crystal & Patrick Dickey of Kansas City, MO and Karen Lingafelter of Aledo; a sister, Olive Stallings of Aledo; 14 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Barbara; brothers, Russell, Warren, Blaine & Scott Lingafelter; sisters: Rachel Garmer and Pauline Morris and a son-in-law, Jack Doherty.