W. Don Blust

Mr. W. Don Blust, 91, of Knoxville, Illinois died 12:25 a.m. Saturday, October 14, 2017 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
He was born February 7, 1926 in Dahinda, Illinois to Glenn W. and Grace F. Malone Blust. He married Shirley G. Landon July 30, 1955 in Knoxville. She preceded him in death March 1, 2014.
Surviving is a son, Michael D. (and Janet) Landon of Galesburg, a sister, Evelyn Huber of Bloomington, a grandson, Brendon Landon of Hatfield, Pennsylvania, a granddaughter, Kris (and John) Pettit of Geneva, Illinois, and five great-grandchildren, Sam Landon and Jake Landon and John Christian Pettit, Joshua Pettit and Joseph Pettit. He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Lloyd Blust, and a grandson, Michael Landon, Jr. .
Don worked for Midwest Manufacturing for a couple years and was a staff member at Radio Electric for seven years. He started his own propane gas business, Knox Gas Sales in the mid 1950’s. He later was a salesman for Thermogas. He spent 23 years as a laborer for Gates Rubber Company in Galesburg and retired in 1988. He graduated from Williamsfield High School, Williamsfield, Illinois in 1944. He then served in the United States Navy from 1944 to 1948. He served as a corpsman at the U.S. Naval Training and distribution center in Farragut, Idaho. He was then stationed in Pearl Harbor as a Pharmacist Mate, 3rd Class. He was a member of the Knoxville American Legion, Post #749. He was proud to be chosen to fly to Washington, D.C. on the Quad Cities Honor Flight in 2011. He was a member of Church of Christ in Galesburg. He was an avid gardener and a well-known photographer. He was the photographer for the Midwest Modified Racing Circuit for many years. Don was known for his love and dedication to family. He was a caretaker and caregiver to all.
Funeral service will be 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel. Eleanor Landon will officiate. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the chapel. Burial will be in Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Memorials may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com