Donald “Weasel” M. Haynes, 96 of Galesburg and formerly of rural St. Augustine, passed away at 4:55 a.m. Saturday, February 20, 2021 at Heartland Health Care Center in Galesburg.
He was born April 9, 1924 in Knox County, Illinois, the son of Grover and Frances (Steck) Haynes. He married Mary E. McVay on March 17, 1951 in Avon.
Donald is survived by his wife of almost 70 years, Mary; one son, Larry (Jennifer Repp) Haynes of Avon; four daughters, Nancy Dumse of Galesburg, Audrey (Jeff) Creek of Galesburg, Cathy Haynes of Galesburg and Sally (Mike) Hillman of East Galesburg; 7 grandchildren, 7 great-grandchildren and 1 step-great-granddaughter; and nieces, nephews and their families.
He was preceded in death by his parents, an infant sister, Esther Emma Haynes, one daughter, Patsy A. Nutt, and one brother, Berwyn “Coonrod” Haynes.
He graduated from London Mills High School and later served in the U.S. Army Paratrooper Division in Georgia from February 1946 to August 1947. He was a farmer his whole life. He was a rural mail carrier for the St. Augustine Post Office for 35 years. He also worked at Butler Manufacturing in Galesburg and later for Super Sweet Feed in Monmouth. He and Mary lived on the farm in rural St. Augustine for most of their married life and later moved to Galesburg in 2009. Weasel was an avid Cubs, Bears and Fighting Illini fan. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, mushrooming and spending time with family and friends. He and Mary enjoyed watching the livestock shows at the Abingdon Community Festival.
Cremation will be accorded. Services will be held at a later date. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services Abingdon Chapel is assisting his family with arrangements.
Memorials may be made to Pheasants Forever or the National Wildlife Turkey Federation Western Illinois Longspurs Chapter in care of Hinchliff-Pearson West, 206 N. Washington St., Abingdon, Illinois 61410. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
