Donald Wayne Staggs

Champaign - Donald Wayne Staggs, 89, of Champaign, IL passed away on Tuesday December 13, 2016 after a long struggle with Alzheimer's disease. He was born on October 2, 1927 in Anderson Township, Clark County, IL to James and Fairy (Wieland) Staggs. Don married Lois Marion Bivans on June 19, 1955 in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Don is survived by his wife; sons Michael (Barbara Wolf) Staggs of Poynette, WI and Robert Keith (Sandra) Staggs of Naperville, IL; daughter Nancy (Steve Woodward) Johnston of Thousand Oaks, CA; grandchildren Elsa Johnston, Cody Johnston, Zoe Staggs, and Joshua Staggs; and sisters Mary (Gib) Somers of Dennison IL and Ruth Burkett of Marshall, IL. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister and brother-in-law Violet and Dale Norton; and brother-in-law Don Burkett who all lived in Marshall, IL. Don grew up hunting, fishing and working hard on his family's farm near Allright, IL. He graduated from Marshall High School in 1945 and enlisted in the US Navy serving on active duty until 1947 and in the Reserve until 1952. Don graduated from the University of Illinois in 1952 with a BS in electrical engineering. He worked for the Illinois State Water Survey in Urbana, IL for 40 years helping develop the use of weather radar. Don participated in field projects in Missouri, Hawaii, New Jersey, Oklahoma, Montana, Michigan and throughout Illinois; wrote several scientific publications on radar meteorology; and was the first person to document the "hook echo" radar signature of a tornado on April 9, 1953. Don's love for fishing and traveling meant family vacations were usually fishing trips. In his later years, he and Lois enjoyed taking cruises throughout the world and visiting with their children and Lois' family in Florida. He was a long time Illini season ticket holder, member of the Rebounders Club, and frequent traveler to road and bowl games. But Don's primary passions were building and fixing things, and helping other people. There was no broken item that couldn't be fixed and everything that needed to be done was "do it yourself." And he always made time to help family, friends, and coworkers build and fix their things. A Celebration of Life service will be held on Thursday December 22, 2016 at 6pm with visitation prior from 4-6pm at Sunset Funeral Home, 710 N. Neil St. Champaign, IL 61820. An interment ceremony will be held later this spring. Memorial donations can be made in his name to the Alzheimer's Association (alz.org). Please join Don's family in sharing memories, photos, and videos on his tribute wall at www.sunsetfuneralhome.com.

Visitation Dec 22, 2016 Thursday, 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820 Service Dec 22, 2016 Thursday, 6:00 PM Sunset Funeral Home & Cremation Center Champaign-Urbana Chapel 710 N. Neil Street Champaign, IL 61820