Donald Rowley

Donald Eugene Rowley, 80, of Danville, Illinois departed this life peacefully on Monday, May 11 at 7:38 p.m. at the Richard Roudebush Veterans Medical Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. Don was born on March 16, 1929 in Danville Illinois, the eldest child of Percifield William Rowley and Flossie Mae Carpenter. He joined the Navy in June of 1946 and served actively until May 1948 where he achieved the rank of Fireman 2nd class. He married Frances Rose Masulis on November 5, 1949 at St. Pauls Catholic Church in Danville, Illinois. They were married for nearly 50 years before her death in January, 1998. Don and Frances raised four children: Becky Sue (Larry) Neff of Veedersburg Indiana, Michael Eugene (Barbara) Rowley of Oakland, Illinois, Rhonda Kay (Butch) Scott of Covington, Indiana and Tracy Ann (Drew) Collins of Montgomery, Illinois. Don and Frances were the proud grandparents of five grandchildren and one step-grandchild: Larry Eugene Neff, Jared Michael Rowley, Ashley Sue Scott, Hope Marie Scott, Lauren Elizabeth Rowley, and Abaigeal Elizabeth Collins. Also surviving are his two brothers, Robert (Betty) Rowley of Danville and William (Mary) Rowley of Santa Anna, California, as well as many nieces and nephews. Don retired from Hyster Company in 1991 after working there as a tool and die maker for 30 years An avid fisherman, Don loved nothing better than spending a few hours in his boat on a sunny day and catching some crappie. Two-mile morning walks were a part of his day, and he was a regular of the coffee club at Dales. Don loved to read, and would bring stacks of books home from the library to enjoy. Sitting around the fire pit with the girls kept him much younger than his 80 years. But his greatest joy was his family - children and grandchildren - spending time with them at ball games, musicals, and anything the grandkids were involved in. Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, 3940 N. Vermilion, Danville Illinois, on Monday, May 18. A celebration of his life will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 19, with Pastor Tony Crouch officiating at Sunset Funeral Home. Graveside military rites will follow at Sunset Memorial Park in Danville. The family asks that in lieu of flowers or as a memorial, donations be made to Roudebush VA Medical Center Hospital, 1481 W. 10th Street, Indianapolis, Indiana 46202, Attention: Voluntary Services. In the memo line of your check be sure to write, In memory of Don Rowley. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.