DR DONALD EARL PHELPS PHD

1943 - 2022

Dr. Donald E. Phelps, PhD
Donald Earl Phelps, son of Earl and Dorothy Phelps, was born in Oakford, Illinois on May 22, 1943. On
December 22, 2022 he went to be with his Lord after a lengthy struggle with Alzheimer's disease. His
passing was gentle and peaceful with family present.
Don was raised in Oakford with his sisters Marilee and Olonda. He graduated from Petersburg Harris
High School in 1961. Following graduation, he attended Illinois College in Jacksonville graduating in
1965. While in Jacksonville, he met Saralyn Green and they were married in 1965. Don joined the
United States Air force and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. They then moved to Paine Field AFB in
Everett, Washington where they welcomed their daughter Laura Katherine in 1967. Don was later
transferred to Lackland AFB, in San Antonio, Texas where he served as a training officer for the Officer
Candidate School. In 1970, David Earl Phelps joined the family. While in San Antonio, Don earned his
Master's degree in psychology at Our Lady of the Lake University.
In 1971 they returned to Illinois where Don began his career with the Illinois Department of Mental
Health and the USAFR Selective Service Detachment in Springfield, IL. During that time, he earned his
PhD at Illinois State University in Education Administration with an emphasis on Developmental
Disabilities. Don had a very successful career serving as the Director of three different facilities for
individuals with developmental disabilities. He joined the Association of Public Developmental
Disabilities Administrator's and was actively involved as a board member including serving a term as
president.
Don's children and grandchildren were his greatest joy. When he retired, he and Saralyn became
actively involved as grandparents. In 2003 they moved to Juneau, Alaska to be with their daughter
Laura, her husband Jamie McDermott and grandchildren Sarah, Liam, Abby and Caleb. He was pleased
when his son David moved to Juneau in 2012 and his family was all together.
In all his endeavors, Don exhibited a servant's heart. This included serving as a student supply preacher
at two small country churches while in college. He was an active member of Grace United Methodist in
Jacksonville, Trinity United Methodist Church in Salem, IL. And Chapel by the Lake in Juneau. Other
community involvement included serving as scoutmaster of Troop 107 in Jacksonville, board member of
Reach in Juneau, Juneau Suicide Prevention Task Force, and Director of Love, INC, Juneau.
In addition to spending time with his family, Don enjoyed his men's Bible Study, playing tennis,
watching football, listening to gospel music, and his study of the American Civil War.
He is survived by his wife Saralyn, daughter Laura (Jamie) McDermott, grandchildren Sarah (Ethan)
Roemeling, Liam McDermott, Abigail McDermott, Caleb McDermott, great granddaughter Ruby
Roemeling, sister, Marilee (Koji) Hayashi of Boise, Idaho, and many nieces and nephews. His sister,
Olonda (Billy) Bateman, predeceased him.
Funeral services were held in December at Chapel by the Lake. Burial with military honors was in
Jacksonville in March. For those wishing to make a memorial donation, the family suggests Love INC,
Juneau, Chapel by the Lake, or the Murray Parents Association of Centralia, Illinois.