He was born July 31, 1941 in Lincoln, IL to Frank J. and Saralee (Pickrell) Cramer, who both preceded him in death.
He married the love of his life Joyce A. (Joy) Handley on September 18, 1965 at First Assembly of God Church in Peoria. She survives.
Also surviving are daughters Angie (Bob) Weszely and Tiana (Ted) Cigrand, grandchildren Sarabeth and Noah Weszely and Connor, Abby, and Gavin Cigrand, sister Carole Farquhar, nephews Michael Farquhar, Zachary Rohrbach, and Matthew Schultz, and nieces Aimee Guldin, Ashley Rohrbach, Whitney Rohrbach, and sister-in-law‘s, Valerie Rohrbach and Pamela Schultz.
Don graduated from Bradley University in 1964 and was a teacher and coach, before becoming a pilot. He was a skilled pilot for 50 years, working as a corporate pilot, FAA flight examiner and eventually for I.D.O.T. Division of Aeronautics (retiring in 2012). He was awarded the Wright Brothers “Master Pilot” Award in 2017. His proudest moment as a pilot was in 1996 when Jim Lovell (former astronaut) asked Don to give him dual instruction in his Bonanza plane.
Don had an intense love for music, teaching himself to play guitar, banjo and many other instruments. He played guitar from the time he was 12 years old, all the way until his death. Any time a Chet Atkins or Johnny Cash song is played, all of us will think of him. Don continued to play with a band, The Geezers, even through advancing Alzheimer’s. They played country, gospel, patriotic, and 50’s/60’s music for community groups and retirement homes. His music memory was such a blessing to him and others, especially during his last few years of life.
Don lived life to the fullest - riding motorcycles, boating, skiing, and playing basketball with friends and family. He and Joy also traveled extensively to places such as Hawaii, the Bahamas, Alaska, Florida, and several cruises with friends. Don (Cappie) kept up with his grandkids on trips to waterparks, amusement parks, Colorado hiking, and his dream trip of a lifetime to Normandy, France.
He was a master of jokes and quick to tease because he loved to make people laugh. He was a loving husband, fiercely protective father, devoted grandfather and loyal friend to many. Words cannot express how much we will miss him.
Don was a committed follower of Jesus. For most of his life, he was a member of First Assembly of God Church in Peoria where his funeral will be held on Friday, October 19 at 10:30 am. Burial will follow at Parkview Cemetery (2001 N. University St. Peoria).
Visitation will be held at Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home (2408 W. Willow Knolls Dr. Peoria) on Thursday, October 18 from 5:00-8:00 pm. A second visitation will also be held prior to the funeral service at First Assembly (4020 N. Brandywine Dr. Peoria) on Friday, October 19 from 9:30 am – 10:15 am.
In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Alzheimer’s Association (alz.org) or First Assembly of God (peoriafirst.org).
