BENTON – Donald Edward Dalby, age 86, of Benton, Illinois, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, June 16, surrounded by his family.
Donald was born on December 11, 1938, in Jefferson County, Illinois, to Charles Edward Dalby and Bertha Francis Dalby, both of whom preceded him in death.
He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Osceola Faye (Pinson) Dalby; and their four children: Benjamin Edward Dalby and his wife, Marybeth, of Benton, Illinois; Sarah Jane Doty and her husband, Charles, of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Elizabeth Anne Leggins and her husband, Thomas, of Benton, Illinois; and Robert James Dalby and his wife, Melony Kay, who preceded Donald in death, of Benton, Illinois.
Donald was a proud grandfather to Malory Elizabeth Dalby of Lexington, Kentucky; Olivia Anne Saunders and her husband Andrew of Benton, Illinois; Benjamin Robert Doty and Daniel Edward Doty, both of Cape Girardeau, Missouri; Robert Ryan Doty of Chicago, Illinois; Katlyn Mikel Conners of Carterville, Illinois; Faith Marie Wyant of Benton, Illinois; Peyton Leigh Robinson of Carbondale, Illinois; and Hannah Grace Gibson of Alto Pass, Illinois. He was also blessed with five great-grandchildren: Luke Edward Saunders, Julian Daniel and Riley James Conners, Wynonna Kay and Kasey Robert Gibson.
Donald is survived by his sister, Mary Zinzilieta of Mt. Vernon, Illinois; and his brother, David Dalby of Greenville, South Carolina, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Donald lived a full and vibrant life. He graduated from Benton High School in 1956 and went on to attend Shelbyville College, where he studied business. Over the years, he worked in various occupations until he found his true passion as the founder of Dalby Tool Company, where he manufactured percussion hammer drill bits used in oil and water wells, as well as in coal, gold, and diamond mines. Through this business, Donald traveled worldwide, making many close and lifelong friends along the way.
Donald loved horses and owned and bred many thoroughbred racehorses throughout his life. After retirement, he became an avid golfer and fisherman, spending much of his time in Florida.
Donald Edward Dalby lived a life full of love, compassion, joy, and understanding. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, cousin, and friend, who cherished and loved that he was all these things to the people in his life, and we all will miss Donald so very much.
Funeral services will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 21, at the Morton & Johnston Funeral Home in Benton. Burial will be in the Williams Chapel Cemetery in Ewing. Visitation will be from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the funeral home.
For more information or to send online condolences, please visit www.mortonjohnstonfuneralhome.com.
