Knight, Donald

Donald R. Knight, 79, of Belleville, IL formerly of Damiansville, IL died Sunday, September 25, 2011 at St. Elizabeth Hospital in Belleville, IL. He was born March 5, 1932 in Browns, IL, son of Samuel B. and Genevieve (Garner) Knight, Sr. He married Deloris Thomson on February 19, 1951 in Olney, IL and they later divorced. He then married Lavada Dismuke on December 17, 2005 in Grayville, IL and she survives in Belleville, IL. In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Donna Knight of North Carolina and Denise Knight- Lee of Mascoutah, IL; three step children, Julia Showmaker of Columbia, IL, William (Gabrielle) Showmaker of Nashville, IL and Dana (Jeff) Alcorn of Milton, FL; five grandchildren, Alyson Hampton, Cathlen Carter, Colten Carter, Piper Lee, and Zachary Swaim; four step grandchildren, Jamie Showmaker, Cassandra Showmaker, Jacob Showmaker, and Sage Alcorn; three step great-grandchildren; a sister, Marcella Broster of Grayville, IL; two brothers, Samuel (Mary Sue) Knight, Jr. of O’Fallon, MO and Robert (Sharolene) Knight of Grayville, IL. He is also survived by brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law. He was preceded in death by his parents, a daughter, Carol Ann Knight in infancy and a brother-in-law, “Bert” Broster. Mr. Knight was retired from Na-Churs/Alpine Solutions in Marion, Ohio. He was a veteran of the United States Air Force and a member of First Church of the Nazarene in Belleville, IL and the American Legion Post 321 in New Baden, IL. Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 30, 2011 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden with Pastor Craig Dillman officiating. Burial with full military honors will follow at Mascoutah City Cemetery in Mascoutah, IL. Friends may call from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. Thursday, September 29, 2011 and from 9 a.m. until 10 a.m., Friday, September 30, 2011 at Hempen Funeral Home in New Baden, IL. The American Legion will visit the funeral home at 7 p.m. on Thursday. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association or to the American Diabetes Association and will be received at the funeral home.