Donald Dean Hongsermeier

Donald Dean Hongsermeier, age 85, of Centralia, Illinois, passed away at 5:01 P.M. on Friday, June 29, 2018 at SSM Health St. Mary’s Hospital in Centralia, Illinois. He was born on December 6, 1932 in Mattoon, Illinois, the son of the late Fred and Alma (Stone) Hongsermeier.  He married Lydia Belle Bryant on March 13, 1955 in Mount Vernon, Illinois and she preceded him in death on August 24, 1997.

Mr. Hongsermeier is survived by his sons, Neal Hongsermeier and wife Barbara of Sandoval, Illinois and Curtis Hongsermeier and wife Tiffani of Centralia, Illinois; daughters, Donna Logan of Phoenix, Arizona, Ruth Hongsermeier of La Vergne, Tennessee, Shirley Hongsermeier of Phoenix, Arizona and Amber Hongsermeier of Phoenix, Arizona; many grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers, Richard Hongsermeier and wife Fifi of Houston, Texas, Howard Hongsermeier and wife Rebecca of Centralia, Illinois and Larry Hongsermeier of La Vergne, Tennessee; sister-in-law, Sue Hongsermeier of Los Angeles, California; brother-in-law, Frost Erwin of Fenton, Missouri and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hongsermeier was preceded in death by his parents; wife of 42 years, Lydia Belle Hongsermeier; son, Clifford D. Hongsermeier, brother, Alan Hongsermeier and sister, Carolyn Bond Erwin.

Mr. Hongsermeier was a long-time member of the Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois.  He was a veteran of the U.S. Army serving his country during the Korean Conflict from February 15, 1952 until February 18, 1953.  He was a Private First Class at the time of his separation from the military service.  He was instrumental in organizing reunions with local veterans.  Mr. Hongsermeier was chairman of the local United Transportation Union and was president of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers.  He was an avid sportsman who enjoyed fishing and hunting and raised bird dogs and coon dogs.  He loved to garden and tend to his pecan trees and fruit trees.

Mr. Hongsermeier retired in 1995 as a locomotive engineer from Illinois Central Railroad after 44 years of service.  He was a life-long resident of Centralia, Illinois.

Celebration of Life Services for Mr. Donald Dean Hongsermeier will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 6, 2018, at Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois with Pastor Stacy Tate officiating.  Interment will follow in Friedens United Church of Christ Cemetery in Irvington, Illinois with Military Honors accorded by Centralia V.F.W. Post 2055 and Centralia American Legion Post 446.  Friends may visit with Mr. Hongsermeier’s family from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. on Thursday, July 5, 2018, at Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois and from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services at 11:00 A.M. on Friday, July 6, 2018, at Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Hongsermeier’s memory to the Friedens United Church of Christ in Irvington, Illinois and will be received by the Moran Queen-Boggs Funeral Home in Centralia, Illinois.  Please view the online obituary, send condolences or share memories with Mr. Hongsermeier’s family at www.moranfuneralhome.net or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.

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