Rev. Donald R. Grammer

Rev. Donald R. Grammer, 72 of Murphysboro, Illinois, went to be with his Lord and Savior at 3 p.m. Saturday, September 8, 2012, at his residence in Murphysboro. Donald was born on April 24, 1940, in Pomona, Illinois, to Warren G. Grammer and Margaret Lorine (Rawson) Grammer. Don retired as District Maintenance Engineer with the IL Dept. of Transportation at the Carbondale Office. He had received his Bachelor of Science in Engineer Technology in 1974. Don served on the board for the Shawnee Crisis Pregnancy Center (now Pregnancy Matters) and was very instrumental in establishing the center in both Anna and Carbondale. He volunteered at both St. Joseph Memorial Hospital in Murphysboro and Carbondale Memorial Hospital. Rev. Grammer was ordained June 6, 1976, and served as Pastor of several area churches, including Alto Pass, Grand Tower, Fairview Christian, Concord at Rice, IL, and Herrin FBC. Since retiring as Pastor in 2010, he has been an active member and Men's Sunday School teacher at Elm Street Baptist Church. Don married Jeanette Crane on April 1, 1962, and they had three children together. Don married Sandra "Sandy" (Wyatt) Stephenson on January 4, 1980, in Murphysboro, and she survives. Other survivors include his father Warren G. Grammer of Carbondale; three children Paul Ray (Linda) Grammer of Albuquerque, NM, Kevin (Rebecca) Grammer of Ava, IL, and Karen (James) Price of Carbondale, IL; step children Joel Stephenson of Ava, IL and John (Robi) Stephenson of Ava, and Elizabeth Brown (deceased); grandchildren Chelsea and Jacob Grammer. Danae, Olivia, Grant, Jared, Sophia, Jillian, and Valerie Price. Danielle and Cody Stephenson. Leah Gunn. Kyle Patterson, Jennifer Brown. Meredith Kwasniewski, Kaylee McGee, and Kinion Stephenson; step grandchildren Kristin, Kory and Cassady Bunselmeyer; great grandchildren Skyler Gunn and Elizabeth Dawn Edwards; step sisters Deborah (Greg) Layne of Murphysboro, and Laurie Tuthill of Anna, and step brother Tony (Rina) Tuthill of Vergennes. He was preceded in death by his mother Margaret Grammer and step mother Betty Tuthill Grammer. Don was a loving husband, father and grandfather, and his family was his greatest joy. Don was passionate about spreading the word of Jesus Christ to all those he met. Don dedicated his life to helping others and was very generous often opening his own home to others in need. Don will be dearly missed by all those who knew him. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, September 11, 2012, at Elm Street Baptist Church with Rev. Charles Allen and Rev. Clifford Waller officiating and burial will be at Walker Hill Cemetery. Friends may call from 5 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tuesday at the church. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Pregnancy Matters, Inc. For more information, please visit www.pettettfuneralhome.com.

Rev. Donald R. Grammer

April 24, 1940 - September 8, 2012