Donald Gronewold

1932 - 2015

Former Washington Mayor

WASHINGTON - Donald R. Gronewold, 83, of Washington passed away at 4:19 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2015, at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Don was born on Aug. 7, 1932, in Trivoli, Ill., to Berne and Louise (Anderson) Gronewold. He married Shirley Scroggins in Washington on Dec. 27, 1959. Shirley survives.

Also surviving are a son, Kevin Gronewold of Washington; and two sisters, Donna Mae (George) Walker of Normal and Mary Jane (David) Severt of Rossville, Ind.

Don was also preceded in death by one brother, Harold.

Don was a graduate of Farmington Community High School and the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at Chicago. After high school, Don entered the military and was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Army.

After the service, Don came to Washington and for 42 years owned and operated Don's Pharmacy on the Square in Washington.

Don was a member of the Washington Chamber of Commerce; Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity; Central Illinois Pharmacist's Association, where he had served as a president; National Community Pharmacists Association; Illinois Pharmacist's Association, where he had also served as president; and American Pharmacist's Association. Don was the 1970 recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia Award, which recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities.

Ever interested in politics on various levels, Don served as the mayor of Washington for three terms, from 1989 to 2001. He was also active in the Tazewell County Republican Committee and for many years served as treasurer.

Don was also a 56-year member of the Washington Rotary Club, which he was a past president of and was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International Foundation.

In his spare time, Don enjoyed sports and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan.

A member of Crossroads United Methodist Church, a service to celebrate Don's life will be held there on Saturday, Aug. 29, 2015, at 10:30 a.m., with Pastors Jason Woolever and Dan Doty officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington, where military rites will be accorded by the U.S. Army. Visitation for Don will be today from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home and one hour prior to services on Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, donations for Don may be directed to Crossroads United Methodist Church or Washington 12th Man.

Online condolences to the family may be made at masonfuneralhomes.com.