Donald "Donnie" Graham

Donald “Donnie” Graham, 62, of Sunnyland, IL. passed away peacefully on December 5, 2021, surrounded by his family. Just like he dealt with all experiences in life, Donnie managed his illness with strength and determination, and spent every day of his last five months with his kids. 

He grew up in Sunnyland and graduated from Washington Community High school. He was the youngest of three boys. Along with being the cool big brother to his niece, who he considered his little sister.

Donnie had planned to retire and spend more time with his grandkids, teaching them how to build those bombastic bird houses, so that they too can be published in the Birds & Blooms magazine. He planned to buy the truck of his dreams. Even with having cancer, he was happy, finally living his life the way he wanted. No one telling him what he had to do, he was able to watch his favorite sci-fi shows, without anyone trying to convince him aliens weren’t real, he always believed. Mostly, Donnie had so many hopes and dreams for his kids and grandkids, and stories to share, which he left in journals, cookbooks, and scrapbooks.

From an early age, Donnie was determined to apply his life skills and talents to his career as a welder. With his extraordinary math skills, steady hands, sharp eyesight, and his ability to pay attention to detail, and succeed in a highly demanding field. For forty-two years, Donnie was an amazing successful welder. Throughout the years, he took great pride in all his accomplishments.

He leaves behind his daughters, Tiffany, and Bethany (Daddy’s little girl); son Donald; grandkids; Raquel, Dylan, Maximus, Donovan, Tristan, and Preston and Chance; brothers; Duane and Mike; sister; Carrie as well as his nieces Michelle and Destiny and nephew Eric. More than anything in the world, he loved his family, a few of his last words, “Look after each other” and “Have a beer for me”. He is preceded in death by his parents, Donald and June and his dog Sparky whom he held very close to his heart.

We invite you to join Donnie’s children in his hometown, on January 22, 2022, between 2:00 pm until 5:00 pm at the Sunnyland Bunker, 100 West Bittersweet Road, Sunnyland, Illinois where we’ll raise a glass (or three) to the best man we know.  Mason-White Funeral Home in Washington is assisting with the family with arrangements.  To share a memory or send a condolence for his family, visit www.masonfuneralhomes.com.

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