Donald “Don” V. Daschka, 85, of Chester, Illinois, passed away at 8:15 am, Saturday, August 6, 2022 at Three Springs Lodge Nursing Home, Chester, Illinois.
He was born to the late C. Victor and Harriett (nee Rutherford) Daschka on September 18, 1936 in St. Louis, Missouri.
Don married Juanita Simmerly on September 8, 1958 in St. Louis, Missouri; she survives.
He was a Pharmacist and had graduated from Saint Louis College of Pharmacy. Don joined his father in the family business called Victor Drugs in Chester. Don took over the business when his father retired.
Don was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church in Chester, Illinois. He was also a member of Elks Lodge #1629 in Chester where he was a Past District Deputy. Don was a University of Illinois Association board member, Chester Park Board member and Memorial Hospital Board member. He was inducted into the Illinois USSSA Hall of Fame as a sponsor, coached little league baseball and sponsored men’s softball and men and women’s bowling for several years. The Fall 1953 Chester High School football team, with Don as a star lineman, won the Conference Championship. He was a sports enthusiast; especially a fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and St. Louis Blues.
Survivors:
Wife:
Juanita Daschka Chester, IL
2 Children:
Michelle Daschka Chester, IL
Paul (Melissa) Daschka Sacramento, CA
2 Sisters:
Sally Ann Stump Port Arthur, TX
Harriet “Tweedy” (Wayne) VerGowe Western Springs, IL
2 Grandchildren:
Harriett Katherine “Katie” Daschka and Mallory (Dustin) Schiavo
1 Great Grandchild:
Brewer Schiavo
6 Nephews:
Ron, Don, Cris and Craig Stump and Tony and Tyler VerGowe
Preceded in Death by: Parents, Infant Son – Joseph and Niece – Kristine Dunham
A Graveside service will be held at 11:45 am, Thursday, August 11, 2022 at Evergreen Cemetery in Chester with Rev. Cecil Dunning officiating. A reception will be held after the graveside service at Knights of Columbus Hall in Chester at 12:30 pm.
Memorials may be made in Don’s memory to First Presbyterian Church in Chester or Kemmerer Village and are being accepted at Pechacek Funeral Home in Chester.
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