Published on April 17, 2025 3:08 pm
Last Updated on April 17, 2025 3:08 pm
Don I. May age 98, of Newton, passed away Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at his home in the Villas of Holly Brook surrounded by family.
Funeral services celebrating Don’s life will be held at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at the Crain Funeral Home, Newton with Rev. Amy Jeffries officiating. Visitation will be held one hour prior to the services Wednesday, April 23rd in the funeral home. Burial will be in the West Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery, Newton with military rites conducted by Jasper Post No. 20 of the American Legion.
Don was born on September 25, 1926 and raised in the Vanderhoof Community of Jasper County, Illinois, the son of Ira I. and Dorothy (Wagner) May. He attended grade school at Vanderhoof School. He later attended Newton High School, before leaving school to work on the family’s farm. He entered into the U.S. Army on January 20, 1949. Don faithfully served in the military police during the Korean Conflict. He was honorably discharged on October 19, 1951.
On April 1, 1956, Don married Margaret Joyce Huddleston. They shared sixty-two years together before Joyce’s passing on December 25, 2018.
Don was a life long farmer. In addition to the crops, Don raised hogs for many years. While he loved working the land, horses were his passion. He loved raising, training and racing standard bred horses.
His memberships include Grace United Methodist Church, Jasper Post No. 20, American Legion, V.F.W. Post No. 5360 and the U. S. Trotters Association. In past years, Don was a member of the Jasper County Farm Bureau and the Jasper County Pork Producers.
In his free time, Don loved watching sports. His favorite teams were the Kansas City Chiefs, the St. Louis Cardinals and any team of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He enjoyed following the grandchildren and great-grandchildren to their many sporting events. In his early years, Don coached basketball and was a member of the Newton Eagle Bench Warmers. For many years, Don and Joyce wintered in Florida. They loved the warm weather and connecting with their many friends.
Don will be loved and remembered by his son, Dane May of Newton; daughters, Dorette Ochs, husband Gery of Newton and Dina May, Darrell Cartright of Xenia; 8 grandchildren, Will May, Ty May, Sydney May, Garrett Ochs, Sara Sholders, Michael Schoonover, Mason Hungate and Dalton Hungate; 11 great-grandchildren and sisters-in-law, Charlotte May of Tennessee and Glenda May of Newton and family friend Louis Ochs of Ste. Marie.
His parents, wife Joyce, brothers, John W. May and Lon T. May and sisters, Lenora Seely, Irene Jones and Helen Matson preceded him in death.
Memorial gifts in honor of Don may be made to the Jasper Post No. 20, Veterans’ Day Flag Program.
Online condolences may be offered at www.crainfuneral.com.