Don E. Preuss

Don E. Preuss, 77 of Springfield, died at 5:10 p.m. Monday, November 27, 2000 at Memorial Medical Center. He was born January 2, 1923 the son of Edward L. and Ann McKittrick Preuss in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Preuss went to work for Federal Mogul in June 1941 and retired after 44 years of service. He was a lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus Council #4179, a member of the Church of the Little Flower, a member of the Church of the Little Flower Men's Club and an American Merchant Marine Veteran (Midwest Division). He was in the United States Merchant Marines from October 1942 until July 1946. He received the rank of Ensign. He served in all three war zones, Pacific, Atlantic and the Mid-East. He received the following medals: Merchant Marine Emblem, Atlantic War Zone Bar, Pacific War Zone Bar and the Mediterranean - Middle East War Zone Bar. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary H. O'Brien on January 4, 1989, his parents and brother Edward G. Preuss in 1989. Survivors: Three sons, Kevin D. (wife, Leslie) Preuss of Bay Harbor Island, FL, Daniel (wife, Gena) Preuss of Troy, IL and Patrick Preuss of Key West, FL; three daughters, Victoria Preuss of West Palm Beach, FL, Catherine Ann (husband, Dan) Durkin of Portland, ME and Peggy Preuss of New York, NY; two brothers, Russell (wife, Joella) Preuss of St. Louis, MO and Gerald ''Jerry'' Preuss of Prescott, AZ; two grandchildren, Jenna and Justin Preuss of Troy, IL; several nieces and nephews. The family is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 South Sixth Street in Springfield. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m. Thursday, November 30, 2000 at the Church of the Little Flower with The Very Reverend John Spreen and Reverend Henry Schmidt. Mr. Preuss has donated his body to the Anatomical Gift Association of Illinois. Memorial Contributions may be made to the American Lung Association 3000 Kelly Lane, Springfield, IL 62707 or the Little Flower School 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, IL 62703.