Donald Earl Rapp's Obituary
Donald "Don" E. Rapp, age 78, of Pinckneyville, IL, formerly of Steeleville, passed away on Thursday, January 21, 2021 at Memorial Hospital, Belleville, IL.
Don was born October 27, 1942 in Harrisburg, IL, a son to Leonard Earl and Anna Belle (McPherson) Rapp. On August 30, 1968, he married Phyllis J. Speers in Steeleville, IL. She preceded him in death on September 21, 1996. He then married Brenda Gross Cleland in Willisville, IL on September 27, 1997.
Don graduated from Steeleville High School in 1960. He attended SIU Carbondale for 3 years and then started working at Streamline Coal Mine in Percy, IL. He was drafted on January 25, 1965, and served overseas in Germany. Upon his honorable discharge from the United Stated Army on January 11, 1967, he returned to work at Streamline Mine. Don later transferred to the Arch Mineral Captain Mine where in 1995 he retired after a 31-year long career of mining. For over 55 years he was an avid boater who spent most of those years on Kinkaid Lake. At the lake and at the mine he was known as, "Dandy Don". Don and Brenda spent 15 years traveling to various places until they found their second home among people they love in Playa De Carmen, Mexico at the Royal Haciendas.
Don was a member of St. Bruno's Catholic Church in Pinckneyville, IL. He honorably served his country in the United States Army and then became a lifelong member of the American Legion in Steeleville, IL. Don also became a 50 plus years lifelong member of Alma Lodge #497 in Steeleville, IL.
Survivors include his wife, Brenda K. Rapp of Pinckneyville, IL; three stepsons, Derek (Amy) Cleland of Pinckneyville, Brett Cleland (Dina Roberts) of Bridgeton, MO, and Dr. Ryan (Amanda) Cleland of Edwardsville, IL; six grandchildren, Logan, Brayden, Kendall, Collins, Noah Cleland, and Chloe Yates; one sister, Mary Ann Chumbley of Trenton, MO; and one niece, Afton (Warren) Thomas of Des Moines, IA.
He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Phyllis J. Rapp; and brother-in-law, William Chumbley.
A memorial funeral mass will be held in St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. with Father Augustine Ibezimako officiating. Interment will follow at 12:45 p.m., in Percy City Cemetery, Percy, IL. Military honors will be conducted by the Army National Guard.
A memorial visitation will be at St. Bruno Catholic Church, Pinckneyville, IL on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the service.
Due to health concerns related to the Covid-19 virus attendance will be limited and social distancing will be observed. All attendees are asked to wear a mask.
Memorial donations may be made to St. Bruno's Catholic Church in Pinckneyville, IL.
Pyatt Funeral Home, Pinckneyville, IL has been entrusted with the arrangements.
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