Donnie Lee Crawford

Dr. Donnie Lee Crawford, PhD, 94, of Macomb, IL passed away at 7:30 AM Friday March 28, 2025 at his residence. He was born on November 19, 1930 in Bushnell, IL to Hugh and Bessie (Aten) Crawford. He married Lorraine Lucille Watson on July 10, 1999 in Bushnell, IL; she survives. Also surviving are his children, Shelley (Jim) Standley of Macomb, IL, Rebecca (Brian) Devine of Pekin, IL, Jeffrey (Jan Ballou) Crawford of Rocheport, MO, Jeannie (Gary) Spencer of Morrison, IL, Thomas (Becky) Shockley of Panama City, FL, Wade Shockley of Paris, IL; 14 grandchildren, Bryce (Kelly) Standley, Corey (Kelsey) Standley, Jessica Devine, Benajmin (Anna) Devine, Jacob (Katy) Devine, Terry (Courtney Cooksey) Ballou-Crawford, Clark (Erin Simar) Ballou-Crawford, Jett Ballou-Crawford, Madeline Kull, Abigail Kull, Eric Kull; Megan (Adam) Opiekun, Jeffery (Constanze) Roeder, Tom (Jessica) Shockley; several great-grandchildren, brother, Loel Crawford of LaFollette, TN; "Brother" Bob Walsh of Texas As a young child Donnie enjoyed the outdoors and playing with his dog Tootsie. He would go rabbit hunting (no gun), and the dog was so fast she would catch the rabbits. Got his first BB gun at age 6 and his first.22 single shot rifle at age 11 years 8 months. As a small child Grandpa Aten let him "handle" his Great-Great Grandpa's Civil War Musket and that created his early interest in firearms. Donnie attended the West Side Grade School and graduated from the Bushnell Community High School. He received his BS and MS degrees from Western Illinois State College, now WIU, and his Doctorate from Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana. Donnie was a proud veteran. His time in the military began when he enlisted in the Illinois Army National Guard from 1949 to 1955. Donnie was on active duty in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1953. He served in Korea with the 300th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, a Wyoming Army National Guard unit on federal duty. The unit was the most highly decorated artillery battalion in the war. On October 10, 2010 Donnie was one of only two individuals to be awarded as an Honorary Wyoming Cowboy Colonel. Later he was active in the formation of a 300th AFA veterans association and in writing the history of the unit in the Korean War. Donnie served as Association Commander for several years. He was inducted into Order of St. Barbara and Ancient Order of St. Barbara an artillery honorary organization. St. Barbara is the patron saint of artillery. Donnies military experience was a very important part of his life and was a time when he learned about himself and life. Donnies employment started in construction during his high school years and early college in the summers. He was later employed by WIU, starting as a faculty assistant in 1954 and retiring as a professor and department chairman in 1992. Don also opened the Shootn Shack in Macomb, IL in 1973 in a business partnership. The store specialized in shooting, hunting, reloading and archery supplies. He later became the sole owner and eventually sold the store in 1991 to pursue other interests. Donnie was active in state and national education organizations and served as president of Illinois Association of Education Communications and Technology and held national office in the national AECT, and also was a board member. He was a member of Gamma Theta Upsilon (honorary Geography frat) and Phi Delta Kappa (honorary education frat). His other memberships included Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion, Elks Lodge, Forestry and conservation groups, National Rifle Association, Illinois Rifle Association. Donnie was an associate member of the Illinois Police Association and shot pistol competition with the Macomb Police Pistol in the late 1960's and '1970's. He was a very good shot and won his share of matches. He enjoyed teaching his family how to shoot also. He liked to hunt, especially deer. He was involved in establishing 31 acres of native prairie and managed 44 acres of forest. Donnie had a strong attachment to the land and felt a stewardship role. His love and interest in the land is reflected in that each of his children own/live on acreages and continues to appreciate the land/earth. Many of his attitudes in regard to land reflect the attitudes and beliefs of the American Indians. Graveside services will be held at 11:00 am on Thursday April 3, 2025 at the Bushnell Township Cemetery with Rev. Kelly Ingersol officiating. A Celebration of Donnies life will be held on Friday May 2, 2025 from 4:30 pm until 7:00pm a the Small Towner Event Venue, located at 6 West Side Square Macomb, IL. Memorial contributions are suggested to St Judes, McDonough County Historical Society or to the First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Dodsworth-Piper-Wallen Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guestbook and leave condolences at www.dodosworthfh.com Graveside service Thursday, April 3, 2025 11:00 AM Bushnell Township Cemetery 1400 E. Hail St. Bushnell,IL 61422 Celebration of Life Friday, May 2, 2025 4:30 PM - 7:00 PM Small Towner Even Venue 6 West Side Square Macomb,Illinois 61455 To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donnie, please visit our Tree Store.