Donald R. Gronewold

WASHINGTON... Donald R. Gronewold, 83, of Washington, passed away at 4:19 p.m., Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria. Don was born on August 7, 1932 in Trivoli, Illinois to Berne and Louise (Anderson) Gronewold. He married Shirley Scroggins in Washington on December 27, 1959. Shirley survives. Also surviving is a son, Kevin Gronewold of Washington; two sisters, Donna Mae (George) Walker of Normal and Mary Jane (David) Severt of Rossville, Indiana. Don was also preceded in death by one brother, Harold. Don was a graduate of Farmington Community High School and the University of Illinois College of Pharmacy at Chicago. After high school Don entered the military and is a veteran having served in the U.S. Army. After the service, Don came to Washington and for 42 years owned and operated Don's Pharmacy on the Square in Washington. Don was a member of the Washington Chamber of Commerce, Kappa Psi Pharmaceutical Fraternity, Central Illinois Pharmacist's Association and had served as a president, National Community Pharmacists Association, Illinois Pharmacist's Association where he had also served as president, American Pharmacist's Association. Don was the 1970 recipient of the Bowl of Hygeia Award, which recognizes pharmacists who possess outstanding records of civic leadership in their communities. Ever interested in politics on various levels, Don served as the Mayor of Washington for 3 terms from 1989 to 2001. He was also active in the Tazewell County Republican Committee and for many years has served as treasurer. Don was also a 56 year member of the Washington Rotary Club, which he was a past president of and was a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International Foundation. In his spare time Don enjoyed sports and was an avid Cubs and Bears fan. A member of Crossroads United Methodist Church, a service to celebrate Don's life will be held there on Saturday, August 29, 2015 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastors Jason Woolever and Dan Doty officiating. Burial will follow in Hillcrest Memory Gardens, south of Washington where military rites will be accorded by the U.S. Army. Visitation for Don will be on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at Mason-White Funeral Home and one hour prior to services on Saturday. In lieu of flowers donations for Don may be directed to Crossroads United Methodist Church or Washington 12th Man. Online condolences to the family may be made at masonfuneralhomes.com