C. Willhouse

Cordova, Illinois
Donald C. Willhouse, Sr., 90, of Cordova, Illinois, formerly of Coal Valley and Orion, Illinois, a decorated World War II Veteran, died Thursday, May 7, 2009, in his residence.
Services are 11:00 a.m. Monday at Trinity Lutheran Church, Coal Valley, with the Reverend Robert Hagen officiating. Visitation is 4 to 7 p.m. Sunday at Trimble Funeral and Cremation Center, Coal Valley. Burial is at Coal Valley Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church.
Donald Charles Willhouse was born July 3, 1918, in Coal Valley, the son of Charles and Amelia (Baraks) Willhouse. He served in the U. S. Army with the 25th Infantry Division in the South Pacific during WW II, and earned several awards, including a Bronze Star Medal, a Purple Heart, and several campaign stars. He married Dorothy Alice Nightingale on October 21, 1939, in Coal Valley. She died August 12, 2007. Don owned and operated Don?s Royal Blue Grocery Store in Coal Valley and Cordova with his wife for 25 years.
He was very active in Trinity Lutheran Church, where he was a life-long member. He was a life-time member of the American Legion, and was currently a member of the Orion Post, a past commander of the Cordova Post, and a former member of the Coal Valley Post. He enjoyed gardening and fishing, and was an avid Chicago Cubs fan.
Don is survived by five children and their spouses, Sharon Almquist of Osage Beach, Missouri, Donald Jr. and Laurel Willhouse of Baraboo, Wisconsin, Edward and Jackie Willhouse of Coal Valley, Peggy and Byron Eckhardt of Gainesville, Georgia, and Julie and Tom Ray of Cordova, Illinois, 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, 4 great-great-grandchildren, a sister, Helen Miller of Brownsville, Texas; and brothers Howard Wilhouse and his wife Margaret of Moline, and Robert Willhouse of CoMo, Texas. He was preceded in death by his wife; a son-in-law, Larry Almquist; sisters, Marie Marner and Lois Lough; and a brother, Leo Willhouse
Don?s family invites friends to share a story about him or light a candle in his memory at www.TrimbleFuneralHomes.com.