Donald L. “Don” Kearfott Obituary (1936

Donald Lee Kearfott, also affectionately known as Don, dad, pawpaw, Donnie, Uncle Don, and Donk, passed away peacefully at his home in Bloomington, IL on Friday, January 10, 2025. Don was born near Lake Bloomington on November 28,1936 to William Gordon and Annie Farrell Kearfott. He was the youngest of Gordon and Annie’s eight children. Raised in a family of hard workers, Don had several jobs while growing up and in early adulthood, including farming with his dad, raising livestock, hauling milk, working as a machinist for Hart Carter and GE, working at service stations, hauling gravel and dirt, and field work and hauling for Pfister. Don met Linda Betts shortly after she moved to El Paso, IL in 1960 and they were married in September 1961. A job as plant manager for Aylco took the young couple to the Springfield area, where they welcomed their first child, Steven Joseph, in 1965. A job opportunity at the Post Office moved Don and his young family to Evanston, IL in 1966. They welcomed their daughter, Pamela Jane, in 1975. After retiring from the Post Office in 1979, Don worked for 20 years at Ohmite Manufacturing, retiring again in 1999. After retiring, Don and Linda moved to Bloomington, IL in 2004 to be closer to siblings and many nieces and nephews. Don will always be remembered by his friends and family for his strong work ethic, generous spirit, and great sense of humor. Don was a collector of many things, including horses and Pfister and John Deere memorabilia. He also enjoyed restoring antique tractors and was even known to win awards for some of his work. Don’s family and friends meant the world to him, especially his children and granddaughter, Zoe, born in 2004. While he lived in Evanston, Don was a member of St. John’s United Church of Christ for many years. For the past few years, Don attended the Hudson Christian Church, where he recently became a member. Don was preceded in death by his parents, William G. & Annie; seven siblings, William Kearfott, Loren Kearfott, Mae Geiger, Ruth Blackmore, Herb Kearfott, Mary Vandegraft, and Betty Kearfott; and his wife, Linda. He is survived by his son, Steve Kearfott, of Louisville, KY; daughter, Pam Kearfott, of Austin, TX; and granddaughter, Zoe Kearfott, of Louisville, KY. A visitation will be held from 9am to 11am on Tuesday, January 14, 2025 at Calvert & Johnson Memorial Home in El Paso with a funeral service officiated by Reverend Brandon Current immediately following at 11am. Cremation will be accorded after the services, and inurnment will be at Hinthorn Cemetery at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project or the Hudson Christian Church would be greatly appreciated. Memories, condolences, and photos may be sent to his family online at www.calvertmemorial.com.