Donald Dean Watson, 72, of Mapleton, passed away at 1:19 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2009, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.
Don was born on October 13, 1936 in Peoria, a son of Frank Harvey and Edna Bell (Standard) Watson Burger. His father preceded him in death.
He is survived by his mother of Creve Coeur; brothers, Richard Watson of Pinellas Park, FL, Terry Watson of Brandon, FL and Robert Watson of Barnhart, MO; sister, Joyce of Pinellas Park, FL; and half-brothers, Jon Burger of Peoria, Gary Burger of Naples, FL and Mike Burger of Creve Coeur.
Don was a U.S. Navy Veteran, serving during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and was honorably discharged in 1963 as a 2nd Class Petty Officer. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and enjoyed going to the VFW to have some drinks and re-hash the good old glory days. He retired as a journeyman through the Peoria Sheet Metal Workers Union.
He enjoyed country music, especially Emmylou Harris, working on and re-building computers, chatting online and playing games on his computer. He was a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and had a great sense of humor. His family is proud of how well he did in life with only a 10th grade education.
Graveside services and interment will be at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, April 21, 2009, at Swan Lake Memory Gardens in Peoria, with Rev. Dean Grabill officiating. Military honors will be provided by the U.S. Navy.
Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to the Veterans of Foreign Wars.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Clary Funeral Home in Peoria and online condolences may be made to the family at www.ClaryFunerals.com.
