Donald L. Stodgel, 86, of Dahinda, died April 3, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria.
Don was born March 8, 1935, in Centralia, MO to Jackson F. and Mae Lorene (Williams) Stodgel. He was the third child of four children. He moved to Williamsfield, IL as a five-year-old child and was raised and schooled in Williamsfield. He was a member of the Williamsfield Methodist Church.
He married Betty McNaught and had one son, Marty R. Stodgel of Galva. He later married Donna I. Yelm on July 24, 1965, and had one son, Jason Michael “Mike” Stodgel. They lived in southern Illinois, Birmingham, AL, Williamsfield, Dahinda, and Farmington areas most of their life until moving to Galesburg for 21 years and now back to Dahinda.
He worked at Midwest Mfg Co., Admirals, McCurrey Motors in Galesburg, Bollemeier Construction Co. Marissa, McNally Pittsburgh Construction Co. Pleasanton, KS as a supervisor, Peabody Coal Mine, Trivoli as a maintenance welder. He was co-founder and co-owner of Illinois Salvage Co. and Farmington Auto Wash in Farmington. He later owned Farmington Auto Wash, Courtesy Coin Wash, and United Salvage Co. with his wife in Farmington until his retirement in 1996. He then bought houses, refinished them, and sold them. Don enjoyed traveling in their RV, his motorcycles, and going to Florida in the winter months, staying at their double-wide mobile home in Pinellas Park, FL.
Don was proud to be a member of the United Mine Workers of America and served as vice president of his local Union #1523 for many years. He served in the US Army as a motor sergeant in Korea at a MASH Unit. Upon returning home he served six years in Army Reserves.
Don leaves behind his wife Donna of 55 years, one son, Marty (Ann), granddaughters, Rose Marie (Ian), Christine, Marissa, and grandson, Martin. Great granddaughters, Addison, Rayleigh, Kahlani, and great-grandson, Jordan; one brother, Jack; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one sister, Maedean Barrett; one brother, Pete; one son, Jason Michael “Mike”; and one granddaughter, Brittany. He loved his favorite dog, Jody, and his cat, Molly.
Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Friday, April 9, 2021, at Williamsfield Cemetery, Williamsfield, IL. There will be no public visitation. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Knox County Humane Society. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
