Donald Paul Munger

Donald Paul Munger, 92, of Quincy, formerly of rural Carthage/Plymouth, died at 10:48 p.m. Friday (Sept. 14, 2012) in his home after complications from a stroke in March.

Paul was born Dec. 1, 1919, to George Seth and Lucy Mae Boyd Munger in Macomb. After his mother's death, he spent six years in Macomb Children's Orphanage run by Josie Westfall. At age 12, he was taken in by Ezra Lee and Minnie Grace Reed Boyd of rural Plymouth to help on the farm for the summer. When it was time to return Paul to the orphanage that fall, Minnie couldn't bear to send Paul back. Two years later, his bother, John, also came from the orphanage to live with the Boyds.

Paul attended Macomb grade schools and Oak Grove School and graduated from eighth grade. He later attended Machinists school on the GI bill.

He joined the U.S. Navy and served in the African Theater, Iwo Jima, Hiroshima, Okinawa and Japan as first class boatswains mate. He loved to tell stories of his time in the service. Paul was honored to be on the Great River Honor Flight Mission 2.

After returning home from World War II, Paul bought the Charlie Evans farm in St. Mary's Township, just a mile from the Boyd's farm, and on March 7, 1947, he married Mary Margaret CaCa in Madison Park Christian Church in Quincy. They farmed until retiring in 1977. After renting out their farm ground, they traveled to Minnesota to fish. They soon spent summers in Minnesota and winters in Donna, Texas, and made many lifelong friends along the way. They traveled to Pennsylvania, Idaho, Germany, France, Switzerland and various other destinations.

In addition to traveling, Paul enjoyed fishing, visiting friends and family, and attending auctions.

Paul was a member and past member of Plymouth Masonic Lodge 286 until its closing. He was then a member of Denver Lodge 464 and a 50-year member of Valley of Quincy Scottish Rite. He and Mary were past worthy patron and worthy matron of Plymouth Order of Eastern Star and served on the board of Plymouth Rainbow Girls.

In addition to farming, Paul did custom baling, measured ground for 10 years for Agriculture Specification and Conservation Service, and sold and built silos for S.J. Hoffman and Sons for a short time. He was a lifelong member of the Hancock County Farm Bureau and served as board president. He also served on the Interstate Producers Livestock Association Board.

Paul is survived by a daughter, Margaret Jean (Jimmie) Kelley, Council, Idaho, and her family, granddaughter Mary Jeanette (Richard) Friel; great-grandsons Kaleb Michael Friel, Keegan Mathew Friel and Kooper Marcus Friel; granddaughter Karin Annette Wall (Riley Hall); great-grandchildren Haillie Nicole Wilkinson, Mikaid Porter Wall, Kassidi Paige Wall and Jackson Jay Wall and Farrah, Lexi, Spencer and Dylan Hall; grandsons Jimmie Dale (Shiela) Kelley, Jr.; great-granddaughter Samantha Lynn French, great-great-grandson Rexx Jacob Olson; great-grandchildren Shiana Jean and Dalton Dale Kelley; grandson Thomas Joseph Kelley (Catherine Carlile); great-granddaughter Amber Lee (Christopher) Butcher; great-great grandsons Marshal Thomas and Christopher Joseph Butcher; great-grandson Joshua Thomas Kelley and great-granddaughter Jessica Lou Kittler; grandson Curtis Eugene (Susan) Kelley; great-grandson Jake; and great-granddaughter Kari Jackson.

A daughter, Betty Pauline (Gerald) Ulrich of Quincy, also survives along with her family, grandson David (Melinda) Ulrich; great-grandson Jered Alan Ulrich and great-granddaughter Natalie Noel Ulrich; granddaughter Jacqueline Joann (David) Tournear; and great-granddaughters Bridget Abigail Martin and Christina Sarver.

A son, Donald Melvin (Lona) Munger, of Storm Lake, Iowa, also survives along with his family, granddaughters Elizabeth Ann (Hans) Greenwald and Barbara Sue (Otto) Boetcher; great-granddaughter McKenna Boetcher; and granddaughter Julie Kay (Christopher) Smith.

A son, Ronald Dale Munger (Adele Pullins) of Macomb, also survives with his family, granddaughter Jennifer Lynn Munger (James Hull); great-granddaughter Kelsey Marie Munger; grandson CW2 Daniel Lee (Mika) Munger, currently stationed in Afghanistan; and great-granddaughter Madeline Grace Munger; granddaughter Angela Jean (Quinn) Mayhew; great-grandsons Nicholas Eugene Mayhew and Charles Quincy Mayhew; grandson James Paul Munger; and granddaughter Heaven Lea Rachel Munger.

A daughter, Joyce Ann (Terry) Hollenberg of Quincy, also survives along with her family, grandson Douglas Richard (Nancy Kraft); granddaughter Amelia Diane (Ben) Hobbs; great-grandson Logan Hobbs; and great-granddaughter Hailee Hobbs.

Survivors also include a brother, Ivan George (Isabelle) McCullough, of Macomb; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins; and his constant and faithful companion, Miss Kitty, aka The Queen.

Paul was preceded in death by his wife, Mary, on Dec. 12, 1995; a son, Howard Richard, on May 4, 1971; an infant son and grandson, Christopher Melvin Munger and Gary Mathew Munger; sisters Muriel Atanasoff and Frances Olson; and brothers Roy Munger and John Munger.

SERVICES: 11 a.m. Tuesday in St. Mary's Baptist Church near Plymouth. Burial will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, with military honors by the Illinois National Guard Funeral Detail.

VISITATION: 10 to 10:45 a.m. in the church. Denver Masonic Lodge 464 will conduct Masonic services at 10:45 a.m. in the church.

MEMORIALS: In lieu of flowers, St. Mary's Cemetery for perpetual care, Great River Honor Flight or Blessing Hospice.

ARRANGEMENTS: Zehender, Robinson, Stormer, Cookson Funeral Home.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.whig.com.