Donald Carver
Donald Lewis “Donnie” Carver, 78, of Normal, retired 20 year USMC Gunnery Sergeant and former member of the Illinois National Guard, passed away at 10:33 a.m., Aug. 10 at Advocate BroMenn Medical Center, Normal.
Per Don’s wishes, he was cremated and there will be no service. Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home is assisting the family with cremation arrangements.
Memorials may be directed to Tutwiler Clinic, Tutwiler, MS, Boys Town of Nebraska, Lakota Sioux/St. Joseph’s Indian School, Chamberlain, S.D., the V.A. or to Holy Trinity Catholic Church.
Don was born July 23, 1938 in Normal, the son of Odie and Helen Irene Sealey Carver Bausch. They preceded him in death along with his step-mother, Helen Katherine Kline Carver; as well as four brothers, Francis Cleveland, Robert Earl, Odie Kline and Charles Bausch; two sisters, Mary Irene and Sally Jean. He was the last of his immediate family.
He is survived by two brothers-in-law, Darrell McWilliams and Paul Murphy, both of Arkansas, a sister-in-law, Cleonia Carver of Kansas; a niece, Tara Robinson and a nephew, Todd McWilliams, both of Illinois; nieces, Helen and Brenda and a nephew Odie, Jr; several great nieces and nephews and a great niece, all of Arkansas, Kansas, Hawaii and Oregon.
Don attended schools in San Francisco, Hudson and Normal including a one room school (Union) in rural Hudson, Hudson Grade School and was a 1956 graduate of Normal Community High School.
Don’s parents use to have a bait shop at Lake Bloomington called “Carver’s Corner” from 1949-1954 and had a road (Carver Road) named after them.
Don spent most of his military career as a court reporter and travelled to Japan, Okinawa and most Marine Corps bases in the U.S.
After retirement, Don spent time travelling to Hawaii, Mexico, Alaska and Canada. He had missed his pets, Higgs, Snickers and Duster. He loved the Colts and Cardinals.
Don enjoyed a long life and he knew he was going to a better place. He never got over the passing of his siblings and parents. Don came from a long line of Carver’sfrom Kentucky and Virginia with English and Irish heritage traced back to the late 1600’s.
Don wanted to mention his long time Marine buddy, Leigh Liden and his wife and sons as well as Linda and Steve Waters.
Don also enjoyed planting trees and “his” squirrels and birds.
Donnie sure did enjoy his sister’s home cooking, especially “SOS”, and his niece and nephews cooking in Deer Creek, IL.
To express condolences online, please visit www.carmodyflynn.com.
Florent Nzita
Florent Nzita, 52, of Bloomington, passed away at 9:15 a.m., Aug. 10 at his home.
Service: 1:00 p.m., Aug. 19 at Epiphany Catholic Church, Normal with Rev. Eric Powell officiating. Burial: Holy Cross Cemetery, Normal. Visitation: One hour prior to the service, Friday at the church.
Memorials: To the family.
Survivors: wife, Evelyne MbumbuNganga; four children, HerveNzita, BenedicteNzita, Marie Judith Nzita and Joseph Nzita, all of Bloomington.
Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington is assisting the family with arrangements and you may express condolences at www.carmodyflynn.com.