Donald W. Peel, 86 of Belleville and formerly of Carbondale, passed away at 9:55 p.m. on Friday, July 21 in Memorial Hospital in Belleville.
He was born May 24, 1931 to Herbert and Grace Peel in Alton.
Don served in the Air Force military band and later attended SIU Carbondale, receiving a master's degree in instrumental music. There he met his wife of 59 years both serving as music teachers at Carmi for 30 years.
He served on IGSMA (Illinois Grade School Music Association) board, the Illinois State Board of Education, the State Board of IEA and with the Evansville, Indiana Philharmonic. Don was also a Mason for more than 50 years.
Don is survived by his loving wife, Carol (Davis) Peel; a daughter, Leah and son, Gary; grandchildren, Nathan and Zachary Peel; siblings, Galen and Gerald Peel; other relatives and many friends.
He is preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Bobby and Herbert Peel and sisters, Maxine Witham and MaryJo Ferreira.
Funeral Services for Donald W. Peel will be at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 26 at Crain Pleasant Grove-Murdale Funeral Home with Pastor Don Pruitt officiating and masonic rites accorded. Entombment will follow at the Pleasant Grove Memorial Park Mausoleum with full military honors.
Visitation will be from 10 a.m. until the hour of service at the funeral home.
Memorials may be made to Hungry for Music, a charitable organization that provides musical instruments for children in need.
