Don L. Miyler, age 83, of Galesburg, Illinois died at 3:46 PM on Monday, March 1, 2021, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center, Peoria, Illinois surrounded by his family.
Don was born on August 19, 1937, in Galesburg, Illinois the son of David Somerset and Pearl Minnie (Wright) Miyler. He attended and graduated from Knoxville High School in 1956. He served in the United States Air Force from December 22, 1958, to January 18, 1963. He served at the Air Defense Command – NORAD and received the Bronze Star. He married Marion E. (Eaton) Vilardo on April 10, 1989, in Springfield, Illinois. She preceded him in death on June 6, 2012.
Surviving is his companion Cheryl “Cheri” Phillips of Galesburg, Illinois; his children: Jodi (Todd) Phillips of Marshall, Texas, Julie (Dan) A’Hearn of Galesburg, Illinois, and Todd (Kelly) Vilardo of Charleston, Illinois; seven grandchildren: Brooke (Dillon) Lottinger of Marshall, Texas, Abby Phillips of Marshall, Texas, Megan (Traig) Hurd-Cheney of Peoria Heights, Illinois, Amanda (Jarred) Beckman of Galesburg, Illinois, Colby Vilardo of Spring Lake, North Carolina, McKenzie Vilardo of Charleston, Illinois, Nicholas (Ashlynne) Vilardo of Charleston, Illinois; five great-grandchildren: Olivia, Lorelei, Brooksley, Gavyn, and Steelie Rae; nieces, nephews, and many friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, three brothers: Stan, Glen, and Jack; three sisters, Mary Jane Johnson, Annabelle Buskirk, and Oceymae Bridger.
He worked for the former CB&Q Railroad as a fireman/engineer, then he worked for Gates Rubber company until he retired in 1999. He was a member of the Alpha Masonic Lodge #155 A.F. & A.M. and the National Rifleman’s Association. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, and shooting sports. He raced motorcycles when he was younger and was an avid runner, running five miles a day.
Graveside Services will be held on Saturday, March 6, 2021, at 11:00 A.M. at the Knoxville Cemetery, Knoxville, Illinois; Chris McIntyre will officiate. Military rites will be conducted by the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285. Memorials may be made to the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #249. Online condolences and/or expressions of sympathy may be sent through www.hurd-hendricksfuneralhome.com