Donald Fullerton

Donald Gene Fullerton 88 years, 11 months, 7 Days old Born on May 21, 1935 in Duquoin Illinois to the Late Kenneth and Edith (Stanhouse) Fullerton. His family moved to Lagrange Park Illinois shortly after he was born. Donald lived in this area until May 4th, 1955, when after a short enlistment in the Illinois Army National Guard he enlisted into the Air National Guard and then left the Air National Guard to enlist full time into the US Marine Corps. On August 17, 1957 he married his lifelong soulmate Carolyn Joyce Baker. They remained married until her death on January 7th, 2016 after 59 years of marriage. During his military service he made two deployments to Vietnam, served aboard the USS Philippine Sea, was attached to 8th and I in Washington DC, was aboard ship during the blockade of Cuba during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Stationed at Camp Lejeune, Camp Pendelton and Quantico Virginia. During his two tours in Vietnam in 1964 and 1969 for “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity” he was awarded the Silver Star while attached to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines. During his second deployment he was awarded three Purple Hearts and received many other awards and accommodations during his military career. While stationed at Camp Pendelton, California, His wife gave birth to his first son, Michael on October 19th 1958 and his second Son, Gregg on September 21, 1959. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina when his only daughter Debi, was born on September 21, 1962. Finally, while stationed at the Marine Corps Reserve Center in Evansville, his youngest son Donald R was born on December 1, 1972. Donald was preceded in death by his parents Kenneth and Edith (Stanhouse) Fullerton, His Sister Kay (Joseph still living) Schaefgas, his brother Paul (Cheryl still living) Fullerton. Many Aunts and Uncles and many Great Aunts and Uncles. Donald is survived by his four children Michael (Barbara), Gregg, Debi (Lee) and Donald R (Andrea). His grandchildren, Katrina (Tommy) Lockridge, Jessica (Matthew) Neal, Erin (Kevin) Moore, Jordan (Rachel) Fullerton, Megan (Chris) Steiner, Juli (fiancé Brandon Kilgore) Wolfe, Parker Fullerton and Hannah Fullerton, and his great grandchildren, Bryanna Fullerton, Gabriel Fullerton, Tyler Lee, Austin Green, Liam Moore, Nathan Neal, Allyssa-Jo Lockridge, Britian Moore, Sawyer Steiner, Savannah Steiner and Sydney Steiner. While station at 8Th & I in Washington DC, Donald served as the Marine attached to President Kennedy’s children, Caroline and John Jr. During one of the many activities, he was invited to play volleyball With President Kennedy and ended up breaking his thumb. Mrs. Kennedy didn’t want him to be in uniform around the children so most times he wore a civilian suit and would accompany the family to Camp David for vacations. On December 1, 1974, at Quantico Virginia Donald was officially retired with 21 years of service. He moved to Downers Grove, Illinois after retirement and worked there with piggyback containers on trains for 1 year and then moved back to Evansville, Indiana to live out the remainder of his days. While in Evansville he worked for Lindsey Lincoln Mercury as a car salesman and eventually retired from Ferro Plastics in 1990. He spent the rest of his time doing wood working projects and various other hobbies. Donald was well liked by everyone who knew him and did not have an enemy that he knew of. All strangers quickly became friends and his outgoing personality was always well liked. He will be missed by his many friends and all of his family. A funeral service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday May 6, 2024 at Alexander North Chapel, officiated by Rev. Steve Schwambach, with burial to follow in Alexander Memorial Park. Friends and family may visit from 11:00 a.m. until service time at the funeral home. Condolences may be made online at www.AlexanderNorthChapel.com.