The greatest generation said good-bye to yet another member. Donald Perry Stubbart, 93, of East Moline, IL, passed away Sunday, May 31, 2015, at Illini Restorative Care Center, Silvis, IL. Visitation will be 1:00-2:00PM Friday at the Van Hoe Funeral Home, East Moline. A family graveside service will be conducted immediately following in Coal Valley, Cemetery. Don was born on June 28, 1921, in Oshoto, WY, to John and Audrey Morford Stubbart. He completed high school in Oshoto and was raised in the LDS Church. In 1943, he joined the Army Air Force. He graduated with Aviation Cadet Class 44A, and, as a pilot, flew 33 missions over Germany and France in the B-26 Marauder bomber during WWII. He was also a flight instructor, teaching Allied pilots and female ferry pilots. Don was honorably discharged on November 19, 1945, as a First Lieutenant. Don lived a remarkable life. He worked in Alaska, Louisiana, California, Missouri, and Texas performing piping work, rock hauling, water system installation, supervisory work, and becoming a journeyman pipefitter in 1953. He retired as a member of Plumbers and Pipefitters Local 25 in 1978. He was also a past Worshipful Master for Masonic Lodge 547 in Coal Valley. He married Claudean Jones in Louisiana in 1944. Two children, Christopher and Pam, were added to this union. Don married Mary Lou Ryker Neels on July 28, 1973, in Geneseo, IL, and welcomed three more children into his life, Hank, Greg, and Sandy. After retirement, he maintained a busy life fishing, roto-tilling, chopping wood, and, with Mary Lou ("Mom"), camping, wintering in Florida and Texas, attending auctions and having yard sales. He enjoyed watching the Cubs and western movies. He was also honored with the opportunity to participate in an Honor Flight, sharing the experience with Hank. While a 1997 gas explosion at his mother-in-law's home slowed him down, he recovered from his injuries, and Don and his daughter, Pam, shared a trip to Alaska to visit their "ole stompin' grounds". He continued to live, love, and extend a hand to others. He is lovingly missed by his wife, Mary Lou; children Henry (Vicki) Neels, Jr., Greg (Nancy) Neels, Sandra (Rob) Connors, and Pam Guldenzopf; 13 grandchildren, and 19 great-grandchildren, a brother, Kenneth, and a sister, Carol. His son, Christopher, grandson, Jeremy Raymond, his parents, and siblings, Enid and Veryl, preceded him in death. The battle is over, the victory won. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans or Honor Flight. Online condolences may be left for the family at www.vanhoe.com

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