Donald Gene King

Donald "Gene" King, 83, of Decatur, IL went to be with the Lord and his wife Bernita at 3:20 a.m. on Sunday, September 6, 2015 at St. Mary's Hospital.
A service to celebrate Gene's life will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, September 11, 2015 at Zion Chapel United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends for a time of visitation from 5:00-7:00 p.m. on Thursday at Dawson & Wikoff Funeral Home, Blue Mound. Gene will be laid to rest next to his wife Bernita in Bethel Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be directed to Zion Chapel United Methodist Church.
Gene was born on September 24, 1931 in Decatur, IL, the son of Donald O. and Helen (Nicholls) King. He proudly served in the U.S. Army from 1953-1955. Gene was an Ag teacher for a few years, grain elevator manager for Ralston Purina in Elwin and was a real estate agent for Lyle Campbell and Son Realtors until his retirement. He was a member of Zion Chapel United Methodist Church and the Decatur Lions Club. Gene married Bernita L. Harrell on September 8, 1951. She preceded him in death on September 20, 2012.
Gene is survived by his son: Randy G. (Karen) King of Lombard, IL; daughters: Rita K. (Rick) Lowe of Taylorville, IL, Renae K. (David) Overlin of Long Creek, IL and Roxanne K. Roush of Forsyth, IL; grandchildren: Kim (Patrick) Failing, Kyle (Elizabeth) King, Kaitlin (Alex) Teater, Keith King, Kelly (Cory) Savage, Kory Lowe, Jesse Overlin, Lindsay (Rodney) Warren and Megan (Brad) Jesse; special step granddaughter: Kelly (Chris) Piche; great grandchildren: Landen Savage, Mason Savage, Kate Piche, Sydney Jesse, Blake Jesse, Natalie Failing and Maddox Warren; brothers: Jack (Pat) King of Blue Mound, IL and Rex (Velma) King of Weldon, IL; Also, the special Card Club Bunch of 50+ years.
Gene was preceded in death by his parents, wife and son-in-law: Stan Roush.
The family would like to extend a special thanks to Dr. John Dimondo for his visits and compassion during Gene's illness.
Messages of condolence may be sent to the family at www.dawson-wikoff.com.