Donald E. Griswold, age 88, of Sparland, passed away on Thursday, July 16, 2026 at his home.
Don was born on January 28, 1938 in Sparland, IL to Walter and Ruth Evelyn (Carter) Griswold. He married Rosemary E. Kimble on December 15, 1957 at LaPrairie Church in Sparland. His wife of almost 69 years survives.
Together they had three children, Yvonne (Bradley) Tucker of Chillicothe, IL, Jeffrey Griswold of Lacon, IL and David Griswold, who passed away in 1985. Also surviving are his grandchildren, David James Tucker, Dustin Lee (Emily) Tucker, Vanessa (Daniel) Shutt and Travis Griswold; his great-grandchildren, Jersey Griswold, Brooklyn Shutt, Dallas Shutt, Ava Shutt, Aurora Shutt, Trenton Griswold and Weston Griswold; his brother, John (Linda) Griswold of Texas; his sister, Marie LaMay of Rock Island, IL; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, David Griswold; his parents; two sisters and one brother.
Don served in the U.S. Army for six years, before joining the Rock Island Railroad. He started as a foreman and then became a track supervisor and retired as a safety inspector from CSX Railroad in 2000. Don was a member of the Chillicothe First United Methodist Church and former member so the Masonic Lodge and Mohammed Shrine. He enjoyed playing in the Euchre club and volunteering at Three Sisters Park.
Cremation rites will be accorded and a memorial service will be held on Wednesday, July 22, 2026 at 11am at Weber-Hurd Funeral Home in Chillicothe. Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 21, 2026 from 6pm to 8pm at the funeral home as well as one hour prior to the service on Wednesday. Memorials in Don’s name may be made to the American Diabetes Association, American Cancer Society, the American Kidney Fund or to his church.
From member and former GFA president, Candi Corn: My mother was never able to connect her lineage with Don, but we only lived about 30 miles apart.