Donald Louis Burchyett

Obituary for Donald Louis Burchyett

Born – McClure, IL August 7, 1932

Died – Anna, IL August 13, 2019



Donald Louis Burchyett passed peacefully on Tuesday, August 13, 2019 surrounded by family in the Illinois Veterans Home in Anna, Illinois. He was preceded in death by his father and mother, James Audrey Burchyett and Fanny Marie Phillips Burchyett. He was also preceded in death by his two brothers, James Clifford Burchyett and Jerry Howard “Blue” Burchyett, and his brother-in-law, William Fitzpatrick. His first wife, Deloris Victoria Craig Burchyett preceded him in death in 1998.

His survivors include his wife Peggy Bridgeman Burchyett. They married in January 2001 in Grand Tower, Illinois. Donald is survived by his sisters Kathryn Wagner (Les) and Gracie Fitzpatrick, and sisters-in-law Erline Burchyett and Mary Burchyett. Donald is also survived by three children, Christine Burchyett Brewer (Ross) of Lebanon, Illinois, Steven Louis Burchyett (Mary) of Taylorsville, Kentucky, and Jeffrey Lee Burchyett of Denver, Colorado. He has two granddaughters, Sarah Burchyett Cowan (Matthew) of Louisville, Kentucky, and Elisabeth Burchyett Brewer of St. Louis, Missouri. He has two great-grandsons, Oscar Allen Brewer and Jaxson Matthew Cowan. He has many beloved nieces and nephews. He has three step-daughters, Beverly (Bruce) Alms, Laura (John) Baltzell, and Tammy (Darrell) Chandler, and nine step-grandchildren, Brice and Destiny Alms, Brooke and Adam Hudson, Holly Alexander, Doug Meade; Dustin, Matt and Andrew Chandler.

Donald grew up in McClure, Illinois and graduated from McClure High School in 1950. He joined the Army in 1952 and married Deloris Victoria Craig in 1953. They moved to Springfield, Illinois in 1955, where he worked for Central Illinois Public Service (CIPS). They moved to Southern Illinois in 1969 when he was transferred to the Power Plant in Grand Tower, Illinois.

Donald was always involved in the churches in the towns where he lived, Southern View Chapel in Springfield, Illinois, and then the McClure Baptist Church and most recently in the Grand Tower Baptist Church. He was a leader of the Brigade Boys at Southern View Chapel, as well as a Sunday School teacher for boys. In McClure, he was a deacon and sometimes preached at the church. He was also a deacon in the Grand Tower Baptist Church and was recently made a deacon emeritus in that church. He helped run the Meals on Wheels Program for several years in Grand Tower.

Donald took early retirement from the Grand Tower Power Plant in 1992, so that he and his wife could spend more time with their granddaughters, and also do more traveling. In 1996, his wife was diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and Don cared for her at home. He said that he never thought that he could learn so much about nursing and home health care as he did. He was an example to his family and friends in his selfless care and his giving nature.

After Dee’s death, Don met Peggy Bridgeman and they married in January 2001. He then started working at the Soup Kitchen in their church and ran the Meals on Wheels Program in Grand Tower. He loved doing that work, because he loved meeting and talking to people. He and Peggy enjoyed that work and they loved the time they had together working in the community and church. They also loved having their grandchildren over to their home. Don developed Alzheimer’s disease about 10 years ago. Peggy was able to care for him at home until just the last few years. She was faithfully by his side through this disease, and he received wonderful care at the Illinois Veterans Home. He was surrounded by loving nurses and CNAs, as well as many good friends. He always had a laugh and a smile for everyone, and loved sharing funny stories with his friends and family.

Memorials may be made to Residential Hospice of Southern Illinois or Grand Tower First Baptist Church

Funeral Service for Donald will be Saturday, August 17,, 2019 at 11:00 AM at the Grand Tower First Baptist Church. Visitation will be Saturday, August 17, 2019 from 10:00 – 11:00 AM at the Grand Tower First Baptist Church. Graveside service to follow at Lindsey Cemetery in McClure.

To read the full obituary or for more information visit, www.meredithfh.com