Donald E. Lampkins

"Grandpa"

Donald E. Lampkins, 89, of Sycamore, Illinois, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on October 22, 2023, at Northwestern Medicine Kishwaukee Hospital in DeKalb, Illinois.  Known as "Grandpa" to so many, Don was born on July 4, 1934 in Summersville, Missouri, to Charles and Pearl Lampkins.  Don moved to Sycamore in 1950.

Don married June Kerwin on March 21, 1953.  He worked at Turner Brass, Cecil Willis Construction and then started Don Lampkins Construction for many years.  He eventually worked for the City of Sycamore Street Department.  In his retirement, he made many corn hole games, bird houses, Adirondack chairs and lawn ornaments which he enjoyed selling in his yard.  He never knew a stranger and was a friend to everyone.  "Grandpa" could often be seen around town on his scooter with his white Collie, Brandy, where he kept up on all the news and happenings in Sycamore.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, his wife June, his daughter Doris Grubbs, his siblings Corvin, Orval, Maudlyn, Arnold, Georgie, Delmer, Dewey and 7 siblings in infancy and his second wife Donna.

Don is survived by his children Cheryl Maness of Sycamore, Don (Kathy) Lampkins of Sycamore, Deana (Ed) Eberly of Malta and Steve (Barbara) Lampkins of Sycamore.  "Grandpa" is survived by grandchildren Scott Maness (Basia), Bradley (Lindsay) Maness, Becky (Tim) Springer, Erica A.A.D. (Mike) Snodgrass, Jessica (Jarod) Gale, Kristi Radtke, Adam (Nicole) Day, Melissa (Stephen) Johnson, Jaime Eberly, Emily Lampkins (Rick), Tylor (Taylor) Lampkins, Greg (Ashley) Lampkins, Kaylee Lampkins, Crystal Bawker, Caramie (Mike) Munch and Eric (Stephanie) Bawker.  "Great Grandpa" is survived by Zack and Kyle Maness, Maddie and Andrew Springer, Brooklynn, Brighton and Brady Snodgrass, Oliver, Cooper and Messiah Gale, Jacob and Kaytlyn Radtke, Lily Day, Austin and Carter Smith, Jaxon Lampkins, Kirk and Skyler Hayward, Lexi and Evan Munch, and Rylie, Michael and Steven Bawker.  He is also survived by a sister-in-law Bonnie Diedrich, two great-great grandchildren Hayzel and Colson as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 27 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Butala Funeral Home in Sycamore.  Funeral will be held on Saturday, October 28 at 10:00 a.m. also at Butala Funeral Home.  Don will be laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery in Sycamore.

A memorial fund is being established for Don to be determined by the family at a later date in care of the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.

To sign the online guest book or share a special memory, go to www.ButalaFuneralHomes.com