Donald "Don" E. Cryer

Donald E. Cryer, 96, of Annawan, formerly of Hooppole, passed away on July 18, 2023, at Hillcrest Home in Geneseo. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Vandemore Funeral Home & Crematory-Atkinson Chapel. Visitations will be held from 4-7 PM Friday, July 21, 2023, and 10-11 AM Saturday, prior to the service at the funeral home. He will be laid to rest at St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery-Atkinson. Memorials can be made to the Annawan-Alba Rescue Squad. 

Don was born on July 17, 1927, in Thomas, IL, the son of Henry and Ella (DeSplinter) Cryer. He married Rita Croegaert on June 10, 1950, and she preceded him in death on March 9, 2015. He graduated from Hooppole High School in 1945 and joined the U.S. Navy, receiving the rank of Seaman 1st Class. Don farmed in rural Hooppole for over 20 years and worked at Hooppole Lumber and Grain for 20 years before retiring. After retirement he began working at a local farm into his 80’s. He was a life member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Hooppole and the Hooppole American Legion. Don enjoyed golfing, playing cards, mowing his lawn, listening to country music and eating sweets, especially pie. His family was so important to him and loved spending time with them.

Those left to cherish his memory are children; Jeff Cryer of Annawan, Jason (Amanda) Cryer of Bloomington, Debbie Cryer of Hoffman Estates, Christie (Jeff) Brown of East Moline, Brenda Cryer of Loves Park and Julie DeFauw of Atkinson, grandchildren; Cory (Kaitlynn Francois) Brown, Kari (Jessica) Curtner, Ryan (Rachel) DeFauw, Kyle DeFauw, Ella Cryer, Preston Cryer and one great grandson, Easten Brown.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Henry and Ella Cryer, wife, Rita Cryer, two sisters: Elma Bruder, Pearl Heitzler and son-in-law, Ron DeFauw.