Donald Davis

PEORIA - The Rev. Donald A. "Don" Davis, 77, of Peoria died at 11:05 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2013, at his residence.

He was born on Feb. 25, 1936, in Sugar Ridge, Ind., to Raymond and Jewel Evans Davis. He married Coralyn Beauchamp on Aug. 25, 1956, in Shawneetown, Ill. She survives.

He is also survived by his five children, the Rev. Roger (Nila) Davis of Flanagan, Kathy Davis of Peoria, Debbie (the Rev. Tim) Livengood of East Peoria, Janet (the Dr. Rev. Michael) Taylor of Vincennes, Ind., and Connie (Craig) Johnson of Mackinaw; nine grandchildren, Dr. Timothy (Dr. Andreea), the Rev. Jon (Amber), Alisha, David (Lacy), the Rev. Jacob, Jennifer, Calan, Cauriana and Colby; as well as four great-grandchildren, Graven, Lydia, Sophia and Rosalind.

He was preceded in death by his parents.

Over Don's 36-year career in the Church of the Nazarene, he had the privilege of serving as senior pastor of Cynthiana First Church of the Nazarene, Tell City First Church of the Nazarene, Charleston First Church of the Nazarene, Bloomington First Church of the Nazarene, and Lexington Calvary Church of the Nazarene. After semi-retiring in 2001, he served as associate pastor at Marion First Church of the Nazarene and later at North Pekin Church of the Nazarene. He fully retired in 2010.

Don also worked as a truck driver for Whirlpool Corporation for 15 years, retiring in 1972.

On Oct. 25, 1993, he was an honored recipient of the Kentucky Colonel Award.

Don was a member of the East Peoria Church of the Nazarene.

He was past president of the Little League Association in Oakland City, Ind., and held office in the central Illinois Holiness Camp and Oakland City Holiness Camp, as well as many roles throughout the districts of the Church of the Nazarene.

He was also an avid University of Kentucky Wildcat basketball fan.

There will be a funeral for Don on Monday, Oct. 21, 2013, at 11 a.m. at East Peoria Church of the Nazarene. District Superintendent Scott Sherwood will officiate. Visitation will be from 3 to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 20, 2013, at Deiters Funeral Home and Crematory in East Peoria, as well as one half hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2013, at 10 a.m. at Montgomery Cemetery in Oakland City, Ind., where Pastor Tim Livengood will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to East Peoria Church of the Nazarene.

Don's memorial website may be found at www.deitersfuneralhome.com where condolences may be sent to the family.