Donald E. Tuftie

1927 - 2022

Donald E. Tuftie
Born: October 23, 1927 in Ottawa, IL
Died: June 15, 2022 in Ottawa, IL
Donald E. Tuftie, 94, of Earlville, passed away on Wednesday evening, June 15, 2022 at the Ottawa Pavilion.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, June 20, 2022 at the Mueller Funeral Home in Ottawa, with Rev. Denise Rode, Pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church, officiating. Burial will follow at Freedom Lutheran Cemetery. Visitation will be from 9 to 11 a.m. on Monday, at the funeral home.
Donald was born on October 23, 1927 in Ottawa to Theodore and Myrtle (Kirkus) Tuftie. He married Joan Mitchell on February 26, 1949 in the Utica Baptist Church. Don farmed as a young man and later became a Teamster with Local 722. Don also worked at Del Monte in Mendota for many years. He served as the past director of the Illinois Valley Horseman Association. Don was a member of the Earlville Country Club, Earlville Lions Club, and Waltham Curling Club. He enjoyed golfing and curling.
He is survived by three sons, Gregory (Donna) Tuftie of Oak Forest, Randy (Nancy) Tuftie of Marseilles and Steve (Diana) Tuftie of Harding; four grandchildren, Amanda Schmitz, Erica Gutesha, Susan Tuftie and Joshua Stillwell; and five great-grandchildren, Autumn Schmitz, Landon Schmitz, Jake Stillwell, Trey Stillwell and Myah Stillwell.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his stepmother, Alice; his wife, Joan on April 19, 2022; three brothers, Mervin, Robert, and Fremont Tuftie and two sisters, Marge Cantlin and Lois Peterson.
Pallbearers will be Greg, Randy, and Steve Tuftie, Joshua Stillwell, Jake Stillwell, and Trey Stillwell honorary pallbearers will be, Susan Tuftie, Myah Stillwell, Erica Gutesha and Amanda Schmitz.
Memorials may be directed to the family for a charity to be determined at a later date.
You may sign the online guestbook and share remembrances at www.MuellerFH.com. Mueller Funeral Home and Crematory 800 First Avenue, Ottawa, IL 61350 815-434-4433