Donald Houston Bethel, age 90, of Marion, IL passed away at 5:50 a.m. Monday, February 1, 2010, in Heartland Regional Medical Center of Marion, IL.
He was born November 12, 1919, in Ozark, IL of Johnson County, the son of Jewell Guy and Elma Mae (Houston) Bethel.
Don was united in marriage to Sarah Ellen Bowling, October 7, 1948, in New Orleans, LA and together shared over sixty-one years of marriage.
In 1939 Don graduated from Marion High School. He also attended Southern Illinois University, New Orleans Baptist Seminary, and Ft. Worth Baptist Theological Seminary and graduated in 1952 from Wayland Baptist College, Plainview, TX.
Rev. Bethel was licensed to preach in 1939 and ordained to the gospel ministry in 1942. He waived his exempt draft status to serve in World War II as a paratrooper. He earned several medals while in New Guinea, Luzon, Japan, and the Philippines. Don was involved in the “Las Banos” raid that freed 2,147 civilians from twenty miles behind enemy lines.
During Mr. Bethel’s thirty-three year educator’s career, he was principal at Grant School, a one room school house, Cambria and Paulton, before teaching for thirty years at Crab Orchard High School.
For most of his life, Rev. Bethel was a bi-vocational pastor at several area churches, including Hafer, Springhill, Cana, Lake Creek and Williams Prairie Baptist Church.
Other memberships include Heyde-Pillow V.F.W. Post #1301, American Legion Post #147 and Williamson County Baptist Board.
Mr. Bethel spent many hours volunteering at Marion Memorial Hospital and Heartland regional Medical Center. In 1997 Don and Sarah both received the “Community Service Recognition Award” from Modern Woodmen of America and the “Lifetime Award for Volunteer Service” from Heartland Regional Medical Center.
He is survived by his wife, Sarah Ellen Bethel of Marion, IL; daughter and son-in-law, Carolyn Jo “Jodi” and Dennis Speer of Clarksville, TN, three sons and daughters-in-law, Rev. William Jewel “Bill” and Leah Bethel of Raymondville, TX, Lester James and Kathy Bethel of Marion, IL, Rev. David John and Carol J. Bethel of Indianapolis, IN; foster son, Rev. James Henry and Catherine Wright, of Paducah, KY; seventeen grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; sister, Mary Lou Roberts of Marion, IL; two sisters-in-law, Mary Wylie of Canyon, TX and Margaret Colson of Dumas, TX, a host of other extended family members and many friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two sons, Robert Justin Bethel and Stephen Jeffrey Bethel on Oct. 31, 1982; two brothers, Jewell Guy Bethel, Jr. who was killed in the “Battle of the Bulge” and William Gordon Bethel and sister, Thelma Juanita Addison; five sisters-in-law, Edna Welch, Della May Bird, Rosa Lee Dunn, Elizabeth Turnley and Betty Jene Bowling and three brothers-in-law, William Cecil Bowling, Robert Dudly Bowling and Peter David Bowling.
Arrangements for Donald H. Bethel were entrusted to the Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, 900 N. Court Street, of Marion, IL.
The funeral service was at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, February 6, 2010, at First Baptist Church, 401 W. Union St., Marion, IL with First Baptist Church pastor, Dr. Bob Dickerson and Director of Music, Rev. Brian Summers presiding.
The prelude and postlude musical selections were presented by pianist, Byron Corzine and organist, Julie Douglas.
The service began with the presentation of the recorded musical selection “Leader of the Band”. Then there was a time of sharing of memories. Son Bill Bethel presented comments of memory, granddaughter Megan Flajs read a poem that was written by David Bethel, Ashleigh Whitecotton presented comments of memory and grandson Andrew Bethel presented comments of memory and read notes written by Stephanie Bethel and Amanda Whaley, followed by a Ray Boltz video with the song “Thank You”. The JOY Singers Gospel Group presented two vocal selections “I’m Gonna Leave Here Shoutin” and “Your First Day In Heaven”. Also presented was “I Love Thee” as a congregational hymn.
Interment followed in Rose Hill Cemetery of Marion, IL.
Honorary pallbearers were Megan Flajs, Stephanie Bethel, Ashleigh Whitecotton, Molli Speer O’Leary and Jenny Bethel.
Active pallbearers were William Bethel, Noah Bethel, Andrew Bethel, Jared Speer, Erik Bethel and Lucas Bethel.
Military honors were accorded at the graveside by members of the Heyde-Pillow V.F.W. Post No. 1301, American Legion Post No. 147 and the Illinois National Guard all of Marion, IL. Those participating were Commander, Roger Hines; Chaplain, Dan Fruge; Officer of the Day, Chuck Knapp; Bugler, Bill Deaton; Presentation of the V.F.W. Bible was by Ernie Rinella; Color Guard, Jessie James and Bill Reynolds; National Colors, Dale Ferguson; V.F.W. Post Colors, Dustin Whitehead and Firing Squad, George Trammell, Dale Heltsley, Brian Samuel, Ronald Ganzer, Glen Taylor, Ron Russell and Don Burgrabe.
The Illinois National Guard Flag Detail members participating in the folding and presentation of the flag to Don’s wife, Sarah were SGT David Kemner and SPC Eric Leonberger.
After the committal service at the cemetery the family and friends gathered at First Baptist Church for a meal and continued time of fellowship.
A time of visitation for family and friends was from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 5th, at the church and again after 12:30 p.m. on Saturday, at the church.
During the time of visitation a “Reflection of Life” DVD Memorial Tribute featuring special people, places and events of Don’s life was presented to the family and friends.
For those who preferred memorial contributions were made to “Hands of Hope Clinic”. Memorial contribution envelopes were available at the funeral home and the church or were mailed in care of Wilson-McReynolds Funeral Home, P.O. Box 370, Marion, IL 62959.
For additional information please contact the funeral home by calling 618-993-2131.
