Donald Lee Chauncey Price, 90, of Mount Carmel, Illinois, passed away Saturday, January 16, 2021 at Deaconess Gateway Hospital in Newburgh, Indiana, surrounded by the love of his family. He was born on November 29, 1930 in Napa, Napa County California, the son of Oscar Wilson Price and Emma Madeline (Butler) Price. He married Jean Winingear in Mount Carmel and she survives.
In his youth, Don attended schools in California until he joined the United States Army in 1946 where he faithfully served his country for five years. Don served during the Occupation of Japan, was a member of the 11th Airborne Division and the 511th Parachute Infantry Regiment. He ended his service in 1951 as a 2nd Echelon Mechanic.
Don had a fifty-three-year career serving many positions in the City of Mount Carmel and Wabash County municipalities. He began as a Patrolman in 1955 for the Mount Carmel Police Department, serving for ten years and then was promoted to Chief of Police. In 1975 Don took the position of City-County Detective before moving on to City Inspector in 1981 and then retiring in 2008. Fifteen of those years, Don also served as a Wabash County Deputy Sheriff.
In his spare time, Don enjoyed being a part-time Instructor in the Illinois Community College district 329. He was a certified SCUBA diver, an Amateur Baseball Umpire and a High School Football Official. He liked to play golf, archery and bow-hunting, shooting and woodworking. He was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #4276 and the American Legion, Wabash Post #423. Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He was a Born-Again Christian and attended Community Church of God. He will be dearly missed by his family and friends.
Don leaves behind his loving wife, Jean; children, Tina Kay (Bill) Winternheimer, Donald L. Price Jr., Tani Dru (Gary) Bemont, David D. Price; grandchildren, Jennifer (Mark) Greathouse, Julie Dial, Bret Winternheimer, Brittany Winternheimer, Jerrica (John) Riyazi, Olivia Bemont; great-grandchildren, Alexis and Devon Hardy, River Greathouse and Isabella Price.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; and grandson, Jacob Price.
A private family Visitation and Funeral will be held Wednesday, January 20, 2021 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Rose Hill Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Don’s memory to Community Church of God and can be mailed in care of Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Don’s tribute wall, purchase flowers and leave condolences for the Price family, please visit www.keepesfuneralhome.com
