Donald R. Okeley, age 74, of Knox, passed away Sunday, February 26, 2023. Don was born January 4, 1949 at home in rural Pulaski County.
He was an avid outdoorsman and went hunting and fishing whenever he could. He also was an avid sports fan, especially the Cubs, Bears and Bulls, but followed all of the sports teams on ESPN. When he wasn’t watching ESPN he tuned in to the History Channel. The love of his life was his grandkids and great grandkids and he looked forward to spending time with them whenever he could.
On February 25, 1967, he married Catherine “Cathy” Bradley, they celebrated their 56th wedding anniversary the day before he passed.
He is survived by his wife, Cathy, his children, Annette Wojcik (David) of Plymouth, Donald L. Okeley (Heather) of Knox, Deann Okeley of Knox, and Shane Okeley of Hamlet, a brother, Charles Okeley (Orpha) of Bluffton, IN, three sisters, Lila Rudd (Calvin) of Valparaiso, Alice Miller of Knox, and Joyce Bailey of Knox, nine grandchildren, and seven great grandchildren (with one more on the way). He was preceded in death by his parents, Earl and Irene Okeley, and seven brothers and sisters.
A funeral service will take place on Friday, March 3, 2023 at 1 p.m. CT with visitation two hours prior to services, at M.C. Smith Funeral Home in Knox. Interment will be private.
