Donald Jacob Illk, 79, passed away Saturday, October 8, 2016 at his residence after an extended illness. He was born in Dunkirk, IN September 3, 1937 to Paul Jacob and Goldie Crippen Illk. Don spent much of his childhood in Texas and Indiana before moving to Florence, MS where he graduated from Florence High School and then attended Hinds Junior College. He received his electrical engineering degree from Mississippi State University. He then began working for ITT in Corinth before moving to Stamford, CT where he worked for Pitney Bowes for 25 years. After his retirement, he returned to Mississippi. Don enjoyed playing golf and was known for his ability to fix anything. He enjoyed tinkering on all kinds of machinery. His family remembers him as a genuine and honest man who was well loved by all who knew him.
A memorial service celebrating Don’s life will be held at 11 a.m. Friday at the Lee Memorial Chapel with Chaplain Tony Corrie officiating. Burial will be in Lee Memorial Park. Lee Memorial Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.
He leaves behind 3 children, Ronald Goggins (Rebecca) of Shelton, CT; Donna Illk (Kenneth Wooten) of Saltillo, and Gail Norman of Texas; a brother, Dwight Illk (Deane) of Minnesota; a sister, Serena Illk of California; 4 grandchildren, Christopher (Summer), Rachel (Michael), Ellen, and Jesse; 2 sisters-in-law, Mildred Creegen Gruber and Linda Faye Thompson; 4 great-grandchildren; and a host of nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 49 years, Juanita Illk; his parents; an infant sister, his sister, Bertie; a brother-in-law, Adrian “Pete” Hester; and a sister-in-law, Virginia Scruggs.
Visitation will be 5-7 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials be made to Sanctuary Hospice House. For online guest registry, visit www.leememorialonline.com.
