Don Plott

 At age 85, and as a lifelong resident of Mazon, Illinois, died Thursday, August 28, 2025 at Lightways Hospice in Joliet, Illinois.

Born October 19, 1939, Don was a son of Dennis and Lena (Sease) Plott. He was raised and educated in Mazon where he graduated from high school with the Class of 1957. On September 6, 1959, Don married Elizabeth Ann Gaston in Violet Hill, Arkansas and together they made their home and raised their family in Mazon.

Don worked many jobs throughout his life, starting out with a dear friend driving for Texaco Gas to managing the Standard Oil Gas Station and service center with Liz next door running the Feed Bag to Northern Petrochemical Company. He always had many stories to tell with some of the best ones being of the times and people he came to know when he was owner of the Lazy8 Western Stores where he channeled his fondness for all things country western into a business venture, owning and operating stores from Joliet, Kankakee, Bloomington to as far away as Savanna along the Mississippi River. These businesses remained his passion for nearly 15 years before his well-earned retirement in Mazon. 

He was very proud to be from Mazon and participated in many activities and events to support his local community. Don was a volunteer fireman and served for a period as Chief of the Mazon Fire Department, he was a member of the Village Board, and served as Mayor. In addition, he also volunteered his time to youth organizations such as the Boy Scouts and as a baseball coach.

Don was a member of the Coal City Area Club as well as a past member of the Loyal Order of Moose and the Lions Club. One of his hobbies he enjoyed was building homes, including the one that he and Liz shared together the past 50 years. In his spare time, he enjoyed being outdoors hunting and fishing, and teaching Western dancing with the Boot Kickers. He was a life long Chicago White Sox fan trading jabs with any and all Cub fans. Above all else, Don was happiest when he was with his family. He loved his wife and children, his nieces and nephews were like his children, and friends were family. Don worked hard to make the most of any situation and share the importance of community and family.

Survivors include his wife, Liz Plott of Mazon, and two children, Dave (Christine) Plott of Plainfield, Illinois and Debbie Plott of Joliet, Illinois; and his nieces and nephews: Bobbie (Randy) Davidson, Philip (Jennifer) Carr, John (Tricia) Carr, Randy (the late Melody) Gaston, Elizabeth (Mark) Bullock, Emily (the late Russell) Gaston, HB (the late Carolynn) Easter, Sheila (Joey) Bray, Sandra Story, Bill (Tracy) Gaston, Barb (Steve) Saia, Terri Winfree, Vince (Angel) Gaston, Melinda Gaston, Matthew (the late Linda) Cheadle, Bob (Kathy) Plott, Jr., Kathy (Jim) Sayers, and Denise (Marvin) Schrum. Other survivors include special friends Gordon Gantzert, Pat Vint, and Barry Bivens, and all his daily Mazon coffee buddies.

Don was preceded in death by his parents Dennis and Lena Plott; two brothers: Robert Sr. and Ivan Plott, and one sister: Faye Gilmour; mother and father-in-law: Lone and Marybet Gaston; brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul (Faye) Gilmour, Norene (Bob) Plott, Johnnie Sue (Jack) Dunavin, Rex (Almeda) Gaston, Carol Gaston, Bertie Lee (Bob) Carr, Cleff (Jake) Winfree, Lytle Gaston, and Jackie Gaston; and nieces and nephews: Tim Carr, Jimmy Dunavin, Linda Cheadle, Russell Gaston, Carolyn Easter, Royce Gaston, Rick Gaston, William Carr, Aleta Gilmour, Lisa Surprenant, and Steven Plott.

The family will receive friends at Reeves Funeral Home, 75 North Broadway Street, in Coal City on Saturday, September 6, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of funeral service at 12:00 p.m. Burial will follow at Mazon Brookside Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made as gifts in Don's memory to the Mazon Fire and Ambulance Department, Mazon Brookside Cemetery, and the MVK Food Pantry.

Family and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book, upload photographs, and share Don's memorial page via social media.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Reeves, Fruland, and Baskerville Funeral Homes and Crematory in Coal City (815) 634-2125.