Donald Alvin Crotchett

DONALD CROTCHETT

CARROLLTON -    Donald A. Crotchett, a man who found his heaven on earth in a lawn chair overlooking a mowed yard and a still pond, passed away on April 12, 2026 after a brave battle with lung cancer at the age of 75.

He was born in Carrollton, Illinois on January 2, 1951, and was the son of the late Lawrence Alvin and Myrtle Alberta (Long) Crotchett.

Don was a lifelong fixture of the community, and grew up walking the halls of Carrollton Grade School, and proudly graduated from Carrollton High School with the Class of 1969.

After years of hard work, beginning with Barber School in 1970, a stint at Laclede Steel, and a long trucking career with Midwest Trucking and Rain for Rent, he retired in 2016 enjoying the things he truly loved.  He took immense pride in his land, making sure that the grass was perfectly striped and the garden being in full bloom.   Rarely found indoors, Don was a man of the outdoors, preferring the fresh air and the company of his family pets, who brought him immeasurable joy and were his constant, loyal shadows.

The garage was Don's sanctuary and his social club.  There was nothing he enjoyed more than cracking open a Keystone Light and sitting in a lawn chair with his dear friend, Dale Harmon, his cousin Denny Crotchett, or his buddy, Reggie Ruyle.  Together, they told enough stories to fill a library, usually while looking over his pond and appreciating the life that he had built.

He married Dennise (Chaplin) Burton on June 10, 1994 at the First Assembly of God in Jerseyville, and together they have been blessed with 32 years of a wonderful life.

Don's legacy is held firmly by his wife, Dennise; and his children, Dusty and Julie Crotchett, and Amber and Brad Blackorby of Jerseyville, and Billy and Samantha Burton of Bethalto.

He was the proud Grandpa to a small army, Tanner Crotchett, Parker and Meaghan, Jett, Cruise and Belle Blackorby, Antonio, Alliya, and Jaxson Eckler, Ray, Kane and Kolton Burton, and Don passed away with the excitement of his first great-grandchild due in August.

He is also survived by his two sisters, Charlotte Campbell of Jacksonville and Kathryn Williams of Jerseyville; two nephews, David Williams and Stanley Campbell; his father in-law, Owen Chaplin of Apache Junction, Az., as well as his brothers and sisters in-law, Larry and Teresa Muntz, Kerry and Karen Chaplin of Jerseyville, Rhonda Chaplin of Apache Junction, Az., and Lita and Lea Gonzale of Savannah, Ga.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers-in-law, Wilson Williams and Raymond Campbell and his mother in-law, Maxine (Benton) Chaplin.

Visitation will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Thursday at Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville.

Funeral Services will be conducted at 10 a.m. Friday at Kane Baptist Church in Kane with Frank DeWitt officiating.

Burial will take place in the Kane Cemetery.

Memorials may be given to the Kane Baptist Church, where he was a member, or to the Kane Cemetery.

Don has gone to a place where the fish are always biting, the yard stays perfectly green without effort, and the Keystone is always cold.   We like to imagine he was met at those pearly gates by his cousin, Russell "Rip" Crotchett, riding in on a horse to lead him the rest of the way home to his eternal reward.

Memories may be shared at www.crawfordfunerals.com.

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