Donald (Don) Edward Beetler, 97, of Altona, Illinois, died peacefully March 10, 2025, in his home. He was born May 9, 1927, in Glasford, the fourth child of Fred Beetler and Louise Learned Beetler. He married Mary Frances Brown June 26, 1949, at Ontario Congregational Church, rural Oneida. They were married 67 years until her death in 2017.
He is survived by four children, Dianne Beetler, Altona; Linda (LaMar) Bell, Oneida, David Beetler, Oneida, and Kathleen (Henry) Gondeck, Chillicothe.
Don also is survived by six grandchildren, Bryan (Mallery) Bell, Medinah; Marla Bell, Oneida; Kyle Bell Aurora; Melinda (Kristian) Eriksen, West Dundee; Charleen Gondeck, Peoria; Corey Gondeck, Springfield; and three great-grandchildren, Caiden Bell, Aurora; and Eleanora and Emmett Eriksen, West Dundee. He also is survived by one sister, Barbara (Fred) Woldarski, Trivoli.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Harold, Robert and J. Holland Beetler; three sisters, Rena Beetler, Ruth Broadfield, and Lois Mayer, and one great-granddaughter, Kayla Bell.
He grew up in rural Yates City and graduated from Elmwood High School. In 1945-46, he served in the Guard Co. Headquarters and Battalion, 7th Service Regiment, First Marine Division of the U.S. Marine Corps and was stationed in Tientsin (now Tianjin) China. He worked for Caterpillar Inc. and Auto Sales Company in Brimfield before farming near Victoria, Oneida, and Altona for 45 years.
Don was quietly generous, and very hard-working. He will be remembered for his sense of humor and his strong love for and devotion to his family.
Visitation will be on Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 a.m. with a memorial service at 11 a.m. at the Hurd-Hendricks Funeral Homes & Crematory in Oneida. Rev. Terry England will officiate. Memorials may be made to the Greig Memorial Library in Oneida and AO&W Ambulance. Online condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com
