Donald E. Doty

Donald E. Doty was born October 30, 1923 in Albion, Illinois. His parents were Jerry S. and Ada J. Clodfelter Doty.
Don played cornet in Grade School and High School Band. He graduated from Albion Community High School in the spring of 1941. Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941. Don went to St. Louis and then on to Portland, Oregon to work in the shipyards as a "ship fitter". He belonged to "Boiler Makers and Iron Ship Builders of America, AFL-CIO.
On September 16, 1943 Don enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in San Diego, California. After boot camp and some maneuvers, he joined he 1st Marine Division at Guadalcanal as a replacement after the island was taken.
Then on to Peleliu, Palau Island on September 15, 1944, the 1st Division secured the island in 34 days with 1,200 killed in action and 6,000 wounded. The Division was sent to Okinawa Shima on Easter Sunday April 1, 1945. It took 82 days to secure the island. There was a great loss of life.
Don and the 1st Division then went on to North China after the atomic bomb was dropped to end the war. Don came home in March of 1946 and received the following accommodation: Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star for combat on Peleliu; Presidential Unit Citation and the Bronze Star for the invasion of Okinawa Shima, Ryuku Islands; Marine Service Medal for service in North China; and the Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon-Campaign Medal.
Don Doty was discharged from the military in March 1946. He worked at Airtex in Fairfield for 2 years. During layoffs, he took dancing lessons from the Arthur Murray Studios in Evansville, Indiana.
On November 1, 1948 Don began work as a substitute letter carrier at the Albion, Illinois Post Office. He then took his Civil Service exam. On July 1, 1949 he received a Presidential appointment from President Harry Truman, classifying him as city letter carrier, a job he held for over 10 years. In May of 1959, Don transferred to Albion Rural Route #3 where he worked as a carrier until July 28, 1984, He worked under 4 Postmasters: Lyman D. "Rube" Works, Verdayne "Angie" Mason, Ira "Jr." Copley, and Alan Rigg.
Don combined 36 years as a postal worker and 3 years of Marine Corps service for a total of 39 years to apply for his retirement at the age of 60.
Don was active in Legion and VFW for many years. He served as Commander of the American Legion Post 590 in 1961 and 1962. He served as Quarter Master of the VFW 8222 from 1978 to 1988. He also served as bugler in high school and for many years after the war for Legion and VFW Firing Squads and Color Guards. In later years, he served as chaplain for military funerals and all public formations.
From 1978 to 1988, Doty was active in spring musicals at Wabash Valley College in Mt. Carmel. He had supporting roles, mostly as singing and dancing scenes.
After retirement, Doty taught "Senior Dance" for Frontier Community College for 20 years for 20 years from December 1986 to September 2006. He taught classes at Sumner, Clay City, Fairfield, Mill Shoals, and Grayville. He also sang in the First United Methodist Church choir for 45 years, taught Sunday school classes and was active in Methodist Men.
Don and his wife, Vivian K. Dodson, were married in January 1950. Their children include: Greg Doty of Albion, Illinois, Susan C. Doty of Olney, Illinois and Bradley Doty and his wife Lisa of Arlington Heights, Illinois. They have 2 grandsons: Ed and Will Doty.

Don was preceded in death by sisters Mrs. Elsie Clark and Mrs. Lucy Allyn and 4 brothers John, Carl, Woodrow and Arthur.

Funeral services for Donald E. Doty will be 11:30 a.m. Monday, January 30, 2017 at Nale's Funeral Home in Albion with burial in Graceland Cemetery. Full military rites by the American Legion and VFW Posts will be conducted at the grave site.

Visitation will be 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 30, 2017 until the time of service at Nale's Funeral Home in Albion.

Memorials may be made to the Presbyterian Church and will be accepted at Nale's Funeral Home in Albion.