Donald Dean Tucker, 88, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 4:45 p.m. Monday, April 24, 2023 at Seminary Manor, Galesburg.
Don was born July 4 1934 in Williamsfield, Illinois the son of Everett W. and Ruth I. (Maher) Tucker. Don married Virginia L. (Hallam) Ford on November 2, 1985 in Galesburg. Don is survived by his wife of 37 years, Virginia of Galesburg; son Donni and special son, Gary (Patricia) Tucker of Muscatine, Iowa; daughter, Susan, special stepdaughter, Karen Embree who was the light of his life and stepdaughter, Carolyn; and a special grandson, Brandon Embree who would do anything for his grandpa except give him the food off his plate. Don is also survived by one sister, Joan (Donnie) Keefauver; fourteen nieces and nephews; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren. Along with his parents, Don was preceded in death by a sister, Patricia and her husband Harold; and a brother in law, Marion Osborn.
In his younger days the joy of his life was when he went fishing or hunting with his sons or friends, going to flea markets and yard sales. Don also enjoyed making windchimes and bird feeders out of metal cans and tinkering with something in the garage. In 1995 after 43 years of working at Maytag Don retired and enjoyed every minute of it.
Visitation will be 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Saturday, April 29, 2023 at the First Church of God, 1080 Harrison St., Galesburg with funeral services following at 1:30 p.m. Chaplain Jordan Knight will officiate. Entombment will follow at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Arrangements have been entrusted to Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be made in Don’s memory to Saturday Night Live at First Church of God. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
