Donnie Simons

Donald “Donnie” Simons, Jr., 74, of rural Robinson, IL, passed away unexpectedly on September 5, 2025. He was born on January 21, 1951, in Robinson, and Robinson is where he stayed. He grew up here, graduated from Robinson High School in 1969, and made his life here among the people he loved. In those younger days, nobody had more fun than Donnie Simons. He was the life of the party, quick with a trick, quicker with a laugh, and the kind of friend you wanted to have around when it was time to cut loose. Work came early for Donnie. He spent some time on the railroad before finding his calling with a paintbrush in hand. A proud member of Local #1705, he worked as a union painter for most of his life. His jobs took him through the doors of Eli Lilly, the Marathon refinery, and finally SDR, where he wrapped up a career that had left his mark on more walls, buildings, and projects than anyone could count.

Away from work, Donnie poured himself into the outdoors. He loved to hunt, mostly on his own property, targeting squirrels, deer, and turkeys, whatever was in season. He cherished time at the river, too, whether it was running lines, camping with friends, or just spending a quiet morning by the water. What he caught often found its way into the fryer, alongside hush puppies, cooked the way only Donnie could, always with plenty of heat. And when he wasn’t in the woods or by the water, he was in his garden. He knew the tricks of the trade and passed them along to his nephew’s wife, Jodi.

Family meant everything to Donnie. He especially adored his great-nieces and nephews, who lived right next door. He popped over several times a day to see what they were into, and he rarely missed a chance to cheer them on at a ballgame. His presence was as steady as his daily phone calls, checking in with family and friends over and over again, making sure everyone knew they mattered to him. They could each tell you that he was a man who liked things done right. His yard was always neat and trimmed, his property tidy, his Corvettes shining when he had the time to tinker with them. He had a knack for collecting, picking up whatever caught his eye, always knowing what was worth holding on to. And through it all, the radio played, always tuned to WTAY. When one wore out, he simply bought another and let it run until it gave out, too!

Those closest to him knew there was more to Donnie than the fun-loving trickster. He was sentimental to his core. He treasured keepsakes from family members gone before him, and anniversaries of loss hit him hard. He carried those memories tenderly, even if he didn’t always show it. When you put it all together, you get the full picture: a man who worked hard, played hard, loved deeply, and laughed often. A man with a tough shell and a soft heart. A man everybody loved.

Donnie is survived by his sisters & brothers-in-law, Lorraine & Dan Turner (Robinson, IL), Jo D. & Victor Chubrilo (Robinson, IL), and Amy Stone (Robinson, IL); by his nieces and nephews & their spouses, Katherine & Shawn Sullivan, Jason Young, Jay & Lisa Turner, Amy & Jeff Mossman, Nicole & Mike Foust, Dillon & Jodi Stone, and Emma & Blake Callaway; and by his great-nieces and nephews, Isla Sullivan, Huxley Sullivan, Brecklyn Stone, Lola Stone, Mark J. Stone, and Eloise Callaway. He was preceded in death by his parents, Donald & Alvena “Pat” (Wright) Simons; by his brother, Charles Alvin Simons; and by his brother-in-law, Mark Stone.

A private family service will be held at the Robinson New Cemetery at a later date. The Goodwine Funeral Home in Robinson is assisting the family with arrangements. In honor of his years of support to the organizations, memorials may be made to either the American Legion Post #69 or the VFW Post #4549, and memorial envelopes will be available at the funeral home.