Donald R. Simpson

Staff
Posted 5/28/18

LA MOILLE - Donald Ray Simpson, 84, of LaMoille died May 24, 2018 at Citadel Care Center, Elgin surrounded by his loving family.

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Donald R. Simpson

Posted

LA MOILLE - Donald Ray Simpson, 84, of LaMoille died May 24, 2018 at Citadel Care Center, Elgin surrounded by his loving family.

Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Thursday, May 31 at the Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota with Rev. Tim Baltz officiating. Burial will be at Union Cemetery, LaMoille with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30 at the funeral home.

Donnie was born June 22, 1933 in Paw Paw to Robert E. and Ada (Towne) Simpson. He married Elizabeth Irene File on Sept. 21, 1958 in Mendota.

Survivors include his wife of LaMoille; one son, Kyle (Marylee) Simpson of LaMoille; two daughters, Brenda (Ron) Ross of Sugar Grove and Renee (Kent) Waido of Valley, Ala.; six grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; three sisters, Betty Rogers of Mendota, Louise Ambler of Mendota and Cynthia Donna of Cherry; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers, seven sisters, and an infant grandson.

Donnie attended Mendota High School and graduated with the Class of 1951. In the fall of 1951, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy for five years and served as a corpsman in the Korean War and played baseball at the Great Lakes Naval Base. Serving his country was very important to him as well as serving his community. After his marriage, he began serving the community as a service station owner delivering “Service with a Smile” for over 46 years. He continued his commitment to the community for many years by being involved as a volunteer fireman and EMT, commander for the LaMoille American Legion, care-giver of “Buffy” and the buffalo, mentor, cheerleader, grand marshal of the 2015 Buffalo Days Parade, and sponsor of many school activities and community events. He was a genuine person who would go above and beyond to help anyone in need. Above all, he was a loving and a compassionate husband, father and grandfather.

Memorials may be directed to the LaMoille Fire and Ambulance Department.