William "Don" Crockett

William “Don” Crockett, age 86, of Thomson, Illinois, went to heaven to be with God with his family by his side on Tuesday, June 11, 2019 at the University of Iowa City Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City. A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 15, 2019 at the York Community Church, Thomson. Burial with full military rites by the Thomson American Legion will take place in Lower York Cemetery, Thomson. A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m., Friday, June 14, 2019 at Law-Jones Funeral Home, Thomson. Memorials may be given in his honor for Mercy Hospice.

Don was born December 19, 1932 on a farm south of Neponset, Illinois in Bureau County, the son of William David and Mabel (Lyle) Crockett. He attended schools in Sheffield, Illinois, Rock Island, Illinois and Neponset. He served in the United States Navy in the Korean War on the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. Lake Champlain (CVA39).

Don married Phyllis A. Head on August 28, 1965 in Galesburg, Illinois. Together they raised two children, Brenda and Mike. And celebrated 32 years of marriage until Phyllis’ passing in 1998. On July 13, 2001 Don married Arlene Gallentine. Don was a longtime member of the York Community Church. He was a truck driver for several truck lines including Airco and Dahlen of Clinton, and Air Liquid of East Dubuque, Illinois where he retired in 1997.

Don was an avid Bears and Cubs fan. He enjoyed watching and attending NASCAR races, fishing, and camping at Allendale—where he was a member since 1996. Don loved family get-togethers, and especially enjoyed spending time with his grandkids.

Don will be dearly missed by his wife, Arlene; two children, Brenda (Clint) Shepard of Morrison, Illinois and Michael (Darcy) Crockett of Bryant, Iowa; three stepsons, Jeff Gallentine, of Lanark, Illinois, Scott (Deb) Gallentine of Mt. Carroll, and David (Tammy) Gallentine of Belle Plaine, Minnesota; eight grandchildren; eight step-grandchildren; five great-grandchildren with one more on the way; and a brother, Glenn (Phyllis) Crockett of Atkinson, Illinois. Don is preceded in death by his wife, Phyllis; his parents; a sister, Nancy Schaub; two twin step-granddaughters at birth; and a step-daughter-in-law, Elaine Gallentine.