Donald R. Priest

Donald R. Priest, age 74, of St. Clair, Missouri, passed away at Missouri Baptist Hospital in Sullivan on July 15, 2025.
Born on July 20, 1950, in Washington DC to Robert and Margaret Priest. Donald grew up in southern Maryland and began a lifelong career as an Ironworker. He was a proud member of the Washington DC local 201 and later moved to the St. Louis area became a member of the Local 396. It was on one of his work assignments to Iowa that his life took a transformational change. While working on a job at Iowa State University he met the love of his life, Jeannette. The night they met he told her he would marry her and soon he was proven right when they married on February 14, 1984.
In 1987 the family moved to the St. Louis area where they enjoyed the peaceful life of Missouri. They would often camp and boat or just enjoy being home riding their JD Gator enjoying nature. He cherished his family, he especially adored his "Sweet Pea" granddaughter, Jordan. Donald loved to BBQ and cook, and he went over the top during the holidays preparing peanut brittle for family, friends, his doctors, and favorite local merchants. Donald loved watching history and cooking shows, along with playing cards. Nothing was more important than his family to him, he was loved and he also loved generously. He will be greatly missed by all who had the privilege to know him.
Donald is survived by his wife of 41 years Jeannette Priest of St. Clair, MO; his daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Brad Eggemeyer of St. Clair, MO; his granddaughter, Jordan Eggemeyer, of St. Clair, MO; two sisters; Dianne Jones and her husband, Don, of Apex, NC and Audrey Arentz of Manchester, MD; his brother, Robert Priest Jr., of Silver Spring, MD. Donald was preceded in death by his father, Robert Priest and his beloved mother, Margaret Shipley.
Friends may send their online condolences to Donald's family at www.eatonfuneralhome.com
All arrangements are under the care of the Eaton Funeral Home and Cremation Center of Sullivan.
Cremation has taken place and the family will have a private service in the future.