Donald L. Hagan
Donald Leroy Hagan, 94, of Darmstadt, IL, born November 25, 1926 in Easton, IL, passed away on Monday, January 4, 2021 at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, IL.
He was a WW2 Navy veteran serving on the USS Tortuga, affectionately known by her crew as “The Galloping Ghost of the Pacific Coast”. He joined the Laborers’ Union in 1944 where he worked on many construction sites. He also spent 25 years as the Local Business Agent until his retirement in 1988. Donald was the Founder of the Donald Hagan Goose Club of Southern Illinois, also a member of the Illinois Nut Tree Association, VFW Post 7710 in New Athens, Laborer’s International Union of America, Local 1303 and 459, the 76er’s Club and Darmstadt Community Club.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and trapper. Donald took great pride in supplying his family and friends with vegetables from his garden. He enjoyed grafting fruit and nut trees, particularly pecan trees. Donald and his wife Jacqueline enjoyed traveling with the Senior Group.
Mr. Hagan was preceded in death by his parents; Robert Lee and Allie Meade (Wells) Hagan and his brother Albert Wayne Hagan.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of 65 years; Jacqueline Ann (Hermann) Hagan, who he married on September 30, 1955 at St. Agatha Catholic Church in New Athens, IL; two daughters, Kristie (Randy) Galati of Swansea, IL and Donna (Michael) Johnson of St. Libory, IL; two sons, Robert (Nancy) Hagan of Darmstadt, IL and Michael (Tina Waller) Hagan of Marissa, IL; ten grandchildren, Jacob (Amy) Sommer, Kayla Sommer, Melissa (Kyle) Whitworth, Chelsie (Ryan) Stangle, Christian (fiancé Samantha Lewis) Hagan, Miranda (Rob) Bury, Katrina Galati, Kallie Galati, Kristopher (Wendy) Recker and Stephen Recker; eight great grandchildren, Wyatt and Morgan Stangle, Abigail and Charlie Whitworth, Waylon Sommer, Delilah Bury and Lilly and Tucker Recker. He is also survived by his dear sister-in-law Joyce Skorcz and his dear nieces and nephews.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are appreciated at St. Jude Children’s Hospital at St. Jude.org.
Condolences to the family may be expressed online at www.heilschuesssler.com.
Funeral services are limited to immediate family members due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in New Athens is in charge of arrangements.
