Donald W. Allen Sr.
Mr. Donald Wesley Allen Sr. of Venedy, IL departed this life in the SSM/Good Samaritan Hospital in Mt. Vernon, IL on Monday, March 15, 2021 at 5:57 A.M. He had attained the age of 79 years, 7 months, and 26 days.
Donald was born in Summersville, MO on July 20, 1941 the son of Getta (nee Martin) Ernst and was raised by his maternal grandparents, John Wesley and Bertha Martin and later by his mother and step- father, Getta and Erwin Ernst. He was united in marriage to Cheryl Giovando (nee Modglin) in Belleville, IL on January 8, 1982 and she survives his passing.
Mr. Allen worked as a truck driver for many years. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. He enjoyed the outdoors and liked to go fishing and he also enjoyed cooking. Don was handy and he liked tinkering on most anything. He was also an avid reader, especially novels. Besides his family, music was Don’s great love. He loved playing the fiddle and guitar and was a huge fan of Chet Atkin, even adopting the Chet Atkins unique finger style of playing.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife Sherry Allen of Venedy; six children, Dawn Wooley and husband Richard of Maryville, IL, Janet Allen-DeToy and special friend Mark Wilder of Colorado, Cindy Waters and husband Ricky of Harrison, AR, Wyndi Allen-Todd of Maryville, IL, Donald Allen JR. of Boston, MA, and Cody Jackson of Tucson, AZ; three step children, Renee Volmer and husband Tom, Stephen Giovando and wife Denise, and Brian Giovando and wife Shelly all of Belleville, IL; three brothers, Gordon Dale Ernst of Belleville, Erwin Ernst and wife Loretta of West Mifflin, PA, and David Ernst of Mountain View, MO; a sister, Kathy Winterbauer and husband Wayne of West Mifflin, PA; 47 grandchildren and great grandchildren, two of which are serving in the United States Army. Don is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews as well as a host of friends.
He was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Getta and Erwin Ernst; grandparents; the mother of his children, Betty Allen (nee Prekup) who passed away on February 28, 1974; as well as several aunts and an uncle.
Funeral services will be held from the Campagna Funeral Home in Okawville, IL on Monday, March 22, 2021 at 7:00 P.M.
Friends may call at the Campagna Funeral Home in Okawville on Monday, March 22 from 5:00 P.M. until the time of the service.
Interment with full military honors will be in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery in St. Louis on Tuesday, March 23, 2021 at 11:00 A.M. Those wishing to attend the committal services are asked to arrive at the funeral home by 9:30 A.M. on Tuesday for the procession to the cemetery.
Due to Covid-19 health concerns, restrictions will be followed. Face coverings will be required, and social distancing measures will be implemented, with a limited number of visitors in the funeral home at any one time. Please be respectful of time so other visitors may pay their respects to the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Raise the Roof fund at the American Legion Post 233 in Okawville and will be accepted by the Campagna Funeral Home.
Online expressions of sympathy may be made at www.campagnafuneralhomes.com
