Donald Looker

Donald Eugene “Don” Looker, age 87 of Beardstown, died Sunday, January 17, 2021 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield.

He was born November 8, 1933 in Morgan County, the son of James and Zela Anderson Looker. He married Linda King on May 27, 1972 at First Evangelical Lutheran Church in Beardstown.

He is survived by his wife Linda Looker of Beardstown; two daughters Deborah Hale of Bonita Springs, FL and Jessica (companion Dave Lucas) Looker of Athens; three sons Greg (wife Alex) of Punta Gorda, FL, Jason (wife Mary-Margaret) Looker of Cantrall and James (wife Brandi) Looker of St. Louis; twelve grandchildren LTC Douglas (wife Donna) Ross, Bryan (wife Kerri) Hale, Doug (wife Kerry) Hale, Justine (husband Tate) Custer, Drew (wife Megan), Cora, Ridge, Warrick, Emily and Meredith Looker, Hailey Whitis and Trey Wilson; nine great grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Mary Jane Terlizzi, two brothers James David “Bud” (surviving wife Hazel) and Billy Van (surviving wife Delores) Looker; son-in-law Bob Hale and a great grandson.

Don graduated from Virginia High School in the class of 1951. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict. He worked at John Deere in Beardstown, owned and operated Village Dry Cleaners and The Nook, and later retired from BNSF Railroad as a conductor. Don was instrumental in organizing the Beardstown Rescue Squad and Beardstown Pony League, served as a Beardstown Volunteer Fireman and was one of the first Beardstown Volunteer Police Commissioners.

Don was always busy. He was a member of the Virginia Christian Church, Beardstown Jaycees, Moose Lodge and BPO Elks Lodge #1007.  He enjoyed wood working, was a master finishing carpenter and he spent many hours in his vegetable garden. In his earlier years he enjoyed bowling, bird and rabbit hunting and was known to be an excellent marksman.

Memorial services will be held at 11:30 AM Saturday, January 23, 2021 at Colwell Memorial Home in Beardstown. Private family committal services will be held in the Beardstown City Cemetery. The family will meet with friends from 10-11:30 AM Saturday at the memorial home.

Due to the current health situation, face masks will be required and to comply with social distancing guidelines, a limited number of people will be allowed in the memorial home at one time.

Memorials have been suggested Beardstown Elks Lodge, Beardstown First Christian Church, or Beardstown First Evangelical Church. Condolences may be left online at www.colwellmemorialhome.com or on Facebook at Colwell Memorial Home.