Donald "Don" L. Wethington

Donald “Don” L. Wethington, 87, of Geneseo, passed away on Wednesday, June 22, 2022, where he was reunited in heaven with his wife, Leota.  Visitation will be held from 4:30-7:00, with Eulogies beginning at 4:00, on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at Vandemore Funeral Home and Crematory - Geneseo Chapel. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 on June 30, 2022, at St. Malachy Catholic Church in Geneseo, where Father Daniel Gifford will officiate. Burial will follow at Oakwood Cemetery, Geneseo. All guests are invited to return to St. Malachy’s and join the family in a luncheon to celebrate and share memories of Don. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly asks that memorials be made to the Don Wethington Memorial, which will benefit local charities Don loved. 

Don was born on January 24, 1935, to the parents of Joseph B. and Maxine (Ward) Wethington, in New Berlin, IL. Don received his high school degree in 1954 from Geneseo High School. On May 12, 1956, Don married the love of his life, Leota M. Neuleib. She preceded him in death on February 22, 2003.  He completed his Pipefitters apprenticeship for the Rock Island Lines in 1962, where he was employed as a Pipefitter. He also worked at John Deere, and the Rock Island Arsenal, from where he retired in 2003. 

Don was an active member of the community. He was a member of the Lions Club, Geneseo Moose Lodge, and a longtime member of St. Malachy Catholic Church. Don’s greatest joys came from spending time with his family and friends. He loved creating the annual Wethington Family float for the Music Festival parades, fixing clocks, old cars, and tinkering in his garage. He could often be found at the Geneseo Donut Shop drinking coffee with friends or at local auctions looking for collectibles and treasures. 

The family would like to express their sincere gratitude and thanks to the nurses, and CNAs at Hammond Henry Hospital, Long Term Care for their loving and compassionate care. 

Those left to cherish his memory include children, Cindy (Steve) Lee, Connie Favre, and Terry Wethington; grandchildren, Krista (Ray) Simpson, Lisa (John) Hand, and Laura (Matt) Biondi; and great-grandchildren, Jake and Luke Simpson, and Joey, Mia, and Leo Biondi. 

Don was preceded in his death by his loving wife, Leota Wethington, parents, Joseph and Maxine Wethington, and brothers, Bill and Carroll Wethington.