Donald L. "Don" Towne

OTTAWA - Donald L. "Don" Towne, 87, of Ottawa passed away Friday, May 6, 2011 at Ottawa Pavilion. Funeral services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2011 at Gladfelter Funeral Home with Reverend Duane Kaufman officiating. Burial will be in Oakwood Memorial Park with military rites by the Ottawa Veterans Organization. Visitation will be 11:00 a.m. till service time on Tuesday at the funeral home. Pallbearers will be his grandsons Brian, Shane and Reid Towne, Allan, Mark and Jeffrey Treest and Lawrence Ruiz. Honorary pallbearers will be his granddaughters Brandy Ruiz and Melissa Kelley. Donald was born October 5, 1923 in Bradford, Illinois, a son of Marvin Roscoe and Eunice (Lord) Towne. He married Delores Bell July 10, 1948 in Ottawa. She preceded him in death February 4, 1995. He is survived by his children, Pamela Cannon of Ottawa, Vickie Towne of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Julie (Larry) Ruiz of Ottawa; one brother, Marvin Towne, Jr., of Springfield, Illinois; two sisters, Ruth Saunders of DeKalb and Charlotte Thorpe of Moline; a daughter in-law, Delphina Towne of Ottawa; eleven grandchildren; and 21 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by one son, Donald "Gerry" Towne; one daughter, Linda, in infancy; two brothers, Robert and David Towne; one sister, Shirley Morris; and a great granddaughter, Sara Jo Treest. Donald was a World War II veteran, proudly serving in the United States Army. He was a member of the Moose Lodge and the American Legion. He was also a member of "The Little Store Coffee Group." He was a carpenter and electrician and gladly wore the hat of "Jack of All Trades." His family lovingly referred to him as the "Best Father and Grandfather." Memorial contributions may be directed to the family.