1933 - 2018
Donald H. Pikey, 84, a 5-year resident of Willow Lake Estates, Elgin, Ill. and former many-year resident of the Swallows Nest Farm of Pekin, passed away on Sunday, Jan. 7, 2018 in the comfort of his home, surrounded by and under the care of his family. Don was born in West Frankfort, Ill., on March 18, 1933. On Oct. 3, 1953, he married the love of his life, Roberta Marie Schuessler.
Survivors include his beloved wife of 64 years; their six children; Michael (Jonni) Pikey, Daniel Pikey, Susan (Scott) Parnham, Maureen (Terry) Kostuik, Lynn (Michael) Smith, and Paul (Jennifer) Pikey; Don's 17 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and countless good and faithful friends in the Elgin, Pekin and Peoria areas.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Herb Pikey, and his mother and step-father, Ailene and Herbert Price.
Don was a foundry planning engineer by profession. He began his career with International Harvester, Chicago as a foundry journeyman. In 1970, he moved his family to Pekin, followed by a 18 year career with Caterpillar as a foundry engineer.
As a self-taught bugler, he was a founding member of the Chicago Cavaliers Champion Drum and Bugle Corps. Later, he became a member of the Skokie Indians Corp, a three time national legion champions.
Don was a devout Roman Catholic and a member of St. Catherine of Siena Church in West Dundee and a former longtime member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Pekin, where he was a former CYO director, president of the Parents Club and a volunteer for the RCIA. While living in Pekin, He was a board member of the Pekin Community Concerts, FOCUS-W group and CHIPP. Don was an avid fisherman and loved traveling, furniture refinishing, and hunting.
Family and friends will gather for a funeral Mass at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 20, at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 303 S. 7th St., Pekin. Burial will follow at St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Pekin.
Please omit flowers, Masses would be appreciated or memorials may be made to St. Vincent DePaul Society.
To offer condolence, online visit www.millerfuneralhomedundee.com. For information, please call 847-426-3436.