Donald Ray Phelps passed away on April 24, 2026, at 6:22 am. He was 93 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, and 5 days at the time of his death.
When Donald was born, his father, LaRenzo Phelps, was 37, and his mother, Eleanor Navada (Schneider) Phelps, was 30. He was the third born of four children.
Donald was preceded in death by both his parents, Renzo and Eleanor Phelps, his brother Kenneth Leon Phelps, sister-in-law Doris Jean (Weems) Phelps, his sister, Phyllis Jean (Phelps) (White) Robbins, brother-in-law James (Jim) Edward White, brother-in-law Harold Glenn Robbins, brother-in-law William (Bill) Lee Wadkins, son-in-law Terry Randall (Randy) Reese, grandson Cody Michael Phelps and great granddaughter Lilith Lynn-Marie Weyler.
He is survived by his sister Shirley Ann (Phelps) Wadkins, daughter Tina Marie (Phelps) (Nolan) Weyler and husband James Michael Wyler, daughter Jana Rae (Phelps) (Reese) Wilmoth and husband Billy Leon Wilmoth III, son Donald Lee Phelps and wife Amber Marie (Harris) Phelps, daughter Joanie Lynn Phelps, several grandkids and great-grandkids and close friend Mary Ann Bell.
Don was born in Walnut Hill and went to Grand Prairie School in his early years He moved to Wamac with his family, leaving the farm life behind, when he was around 11 years old. He remained in Wamac until he married Ilda Irene Green on Nov. 9, 1964, and they divorced in 1982. During that time, they lived on Pine Street Road in Centralia, IL. He led a simple Christian life, working hard for his family. Don worked cleaning furnaces early in his marriage and later worked hauling mail until he retired as a star route driver. He enjoyed mowing and caring for other people’s yards well into his 80’s. He also worked as a foster grandparent at Murray Center for several years. Don enjoyed Bluegrass music, HAM radio, playing his guitar and singing, going out to eat with his close friend, Mary Ann Bell, and family. He really enjoyed his sweets and his cowboy hat. He always made himself available to his family and never missed family events. He studied the Bible and shared his knowledge.
To honor Donald’s life, a visitation will be held on Thursday, May 7, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home in Centralia, IL. Funeral services will be on Friday, May 8, 2026 at 11:00 AM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the family and will be accepted by the Sutherland-Garnier Funeral Home, 235 North Sycamore Street Centralia, IL 62801, (618)532-3523, who is honored to be of service to Don’s family. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.sutherlandfuneralhome.com and the funeral home Facebook page. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family, please visit our Sympathy Store.
