Daniel E. “Don” Grawe, age 90 of Carlyle, passed away at Gateway Regional Medical Center in Granite City, Illinois, on Sunday, April 6, 2025.
Mr. Grawe was born in Bartelso, Illinois, on October 8, 1934, the son of the late Eleanor (Niehanke) and Frank Grawe, Sr. He married Betty Lou Dorries on October 10, 1957, and she preceded him in death on April 4, 2024. In addition to his wife and parents, Don was also welcomed into heaven by his siblings, Fr. Alvin Grawe, Frank Grawe, Jr. and his wife Marian, Mildred Loepker and her husband Bernie, Ethel Albers and her husband Vince, and Gene Grawe; his mother-in-law and father-in-law, Millie (Sanders) and Elmer Dorries, Sr. and his in-laws, Hank Kreke, Leroy Hanke, Jan Dorries, Elmer “Bud” Dorries, Jr. and wife Loretta; and the special angel babies that greeted him with open arms.
Don is survived by his loving children, Vickie Foster (Curt), Donna Waller (Glen “Jack”), Mike Grawe (Cheryl), Ron Grawe, Kim Rakers (Mike), and Jeff Grawe (Carolyn). He is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and many great-grandchildren; his siblings, Dolores “Blondie” Kreke, Bette Breiner, and Jerry and Mary Grawe; as well as his in-laws, Verna Hanke and Clyde Dorries.
After proudly serving in the U.S. Air Force, Don went on to retire from the Ford Automotive Assembly Plant in Hazelwood, MO. He also owned and operated Dairy King in Breese for a while. Don was an active and faithful member of the Immanuel United Church of Christ in Carlyle, where he served many roles through the years. Mr. Grawe enjoyed helping others through volunteering at various community projects over the years, whether he was coaching Little League Baseball, helping at a church event, or working at the Matthew 25 Food Pantry.
A man of many passions, Don could often be found tending to his garden, patiently waiting for a catch while fishing, cheering on the St. Louis Cardinals, or strumming his guitar with the Posey Possum Band.
A Memorial Service will be held at 11:00 AM on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Immanuel United Church of Christ. Inurnment will follow at Carlyle Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held at Zieren Funeral Home on Thursday, April 24, 2025, from 4:00 – 8:00 PM, and at Immanuel United Church of Christ on Friday, April 25, 2025, from 9:00 – 11:00 AM.
Expressions of sympathy in memory of Mr. Grawe are suggested to the Matthew 25 Food Pantry and will be received through Zieren Funeral Home, 1111 Clinton Street, Carlyle, IL 62231. Online condolences may be shared by visiting www.ZierenFuneralHome.com.
