Donald "Don" Pauley

Donald L. Pauley, age 68, of Thomson, Illinois loved telling a good story and making people laugh. He died Friday, December 20, 2013 at Genesis Medical Center West, Davenport, Iowa.
Don was born on January 12, 1945, the son of William and Mildred (Heisler) Pauley in Freeport, Illinois. He attended Mount Carroll High School with the Class of 1963, before enlisting in the United States Air Force. He proudly served his country at George Air Force Base in California from 1962-1964. Don married Linda (Root) Pauley and later married the love of his life, Merrie Jo Enloe on November 21, 2008 at Thomson United Methodist Church.
After he was discharged, Don came home and farmed with his family east of Mount Carroll before purchasing his own farm. He later drove truck independently and most recently for AV Transportation in Camanche, Iowa. Don was a member of Waterfowl USA and enjoyed hunting, especially ducks and geese. In his younger years he enjoyed drag racing and owned several different cars, his favorite being a 1963 Pontiac. Most of all, Don loved spending time with his family and friends.
Don will be missed by his wife, Merrie Jo, one son, Donald “Bill” (Debbie Mizer) Pauley of Thomson; one brother, Jim (Elaine) Pauley of Omaha, Nebraska; and three step-children, Lola (Randy) Meade, Marna (Arnie) Schroeder and Don (Shelly) Enloe. He was preceded in death by his parents and one stepdaughter, Debra Enloe.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Monday, December 23, 2013 at Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll with Reverend Paul Fritz officiating. Burial will take place in Oak Hill Cemetery, Mount Carroll. A visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 p.m., Sunday, December 22, 2013 at the Frank-Law-Jones Funeral Home, Mount Carroll. A memorial fund has been established in Don’s memory.