Donald Gene Churchill of Fort Pierce, Fl, passed from his earthly home to his heavenly home on Sept. 30th at the Indian River Medical Center, Vero Beach, Fl.

Don was born in Canton, IL, to Fred H. and Marie (VinCamp) Churchill on March 19, 1931 and grew up on the family farm. After graduating from Cuba High School in 1949, Don attended Spoon River College and started his career at Truax Traer Coal Company (later known as Consolidation Coal Co.). On July 19, 1953, he married the love of his life, Elda Mitchell, in Canton.

Don continued to work at Consolidation Coal in Illinois and North Dakota for nearly 30 years as an engineer, driller, and surveyor. During this time, he and Elda were blessed with five children. In 1985, they moved to Georgia where Don worked as a master plumber for First Baptist Church, Atlanta, and built a successful plumbing business, Churchill Plumbing. They moved back to Illinois and then to Florida in 2009.

Don had a friendly smile and cheerful greeting for everyone. Throughout his life, he put the needs of others before his own and never hesitated to offer a helping hand. He was a kind, loving and gentle man who had a deep abiding faith in Jesus Christ and shared the gospel message with hundreds of people through the years. He was involved in various community and church ministries including Sunday school teacher, youth leader, and deacon. After a mission trip to Mali, Africa, he became passionate about supporting efforts to build wells for fresh water in villages. He earnestly prayed for others and shared words of wisdom and encouragement.

Don dearly loved his family and they adored him. He was always happiest when his family was together. He enjoyed music, air shows, reading, sports, traveling, classic car shows, tractor pulls, playing games, historical documentaries, nature activities, and watching rocket launches from the Fort Pierce jetty. In years past, he was a champion horseshoe pitcher and avid motorcyclist (Nortons). He had many talents, including an amazing ability to imitate the songs of birds. He invented funny clichs and had a great sense of humor.

Don is survived by his devoted wife of 62 years, Elda, and their five children: Daughters- Debi (Dave) Lewis, DuQuoin, IL, Luci (Jim) Soutouras, and Christine (Daryl) Gonos, Vero Beach, FL. Sons: Jerry (Marla), Carbondale, IL and Dave (Eileen), Bismarck, ND. Seven grandchildren: Travis (Wendy) Grosz, Jon Grosz, Julae Grosz; Tarah (Jon) Davis; Adam (Amber) Lewis; Hannah Churchill and Josiah Churchill. Step-grandsons: Michael and Nicholas Soutouras. Seven great-grandchildren: Bekah, Jon, Judah and Malachi Davis; Reagan, Aiden and Emerson Lewis; Step-great grandson, Corin Soutouras. Don is also survived by his sister, Mary (Glen) Medus; and brother-in-law, Dean (Mona) Tessier.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, sisters: Alice Ann Tessier and Clarabel Pritchard; brother, Jerry Churchill; and brother-in-law Zane Pritchard.

Anyone wishing to send the family a message or to share a memory is asked to visit Donald Churchill's memorial page at www.coxgiffordseawinds.com A memorial/celebration service honoring Don's life is being planned with a date to be announced. A video presentation will be available on the www.coxgiffordseawinds.com website soon.