Donald Donner Springer

Donald Donner Springer, 74, of Springfield, died at 5:19 p.m. on Thursday, January 24, 2013 at Memorial Medical Center. Donald was born February 15, 1938 in Springfield, the son of Phil M. and Dorothy Bayne Springer, Jr. Don married Karen Link on April 15, 1981 in Brentwood, MO. Donald graduated from Ottawa Township High School in 1956 and attended Iowa State University in Ames, IA from 1957 1958. While at Iowa State, he was a member of the Phi Gamma Delta Fraternity and played for the Cyclone Varsity Football team. He later earned his Bachelor of Science from Southern Illinois University. He proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corp from 1957 1963. He was employed by several financial institutes, including Associates Financial Corporation, First National Bank, B.C. Ziegler and Company, and R Rowland and Company. His most recent employment was with Edward Jones and Company from 1979 until his retirement in 2012. Don was very involved with the community and served or was a member of many organizations. He was a one-time President of the Springfield Jaycees, City Chairman of the American Cancer Crusade, the Mayor's Commission on Downtown Parking, Senator in the International Jaycees, on the President's Council with R. Rowland and Company, Big Hat President for the American Business Club, Consulting Editor for Illinois Opinion News Journal, a member of the Sons of the American Revolution, Who's Who in Business, and Who's Who in the World; served as Director for both Center for American Archeology and the Springfield Film Commission, and was on the President's Council at the University of Illinois. He enjoyed taking his grandchildren to the Den Chili Parlor, where he was a regular. He inspired outdoor enthusiasm in his children and grandchildren and his favorite activities were fishing, swimming, and visiting historical sites with his grandchildren. His personal favorites were hunting, boating, and traveling. Don has traveled with Karen to 87 countries and 7 continents. Of special historical note, Don, along with his two brothers, enjoyed representing the ancestral connection to the Donner Party, of which they are sixth generation descendants. Don has given many public presentations and has represented the family in the Springfield area for a number of years. He was preceded in death by his parents. He is survived by his wife, Karen S. Springer of Springfield; son, Douglas Donner Springer of Springfield; daughter, Paula K. (Douglas Lichter) Springer of Portland, OR; two step-sons, Jeff Davidson of Chatham and J.J. (Cathy) Crawford of Plainfield, IL; five grandchildren, Jeremy and Trace Davidson, both of Chatham, and Justin, Dylan, and Austin Crawford, all of Plainfield; two brothers, William A. Springer of New Orleans, LA and Phil M. (Mary Lou) Springer III of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center following visitation. Visitation: Family will receive friends from 4:00 7:00 on Wednesday, January 30, 2013 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Visitation will begin with a ceremony by the Sons of the American Revolution. Memorial Ceremony: 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, January, 31, 2013 at Westminster Presbyterian Church, 533 S. Walnut, Springfield with Rev. Julie Wells-Blythe officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to: Donald Donner Springer UIS Educational Fund, c/o University of Illinois at Springfield, Office of Development PAC 591, Springfield, IL 62703.