Donald G. Stout

Donald Gene Stout of Harrisburg died Saturday, Nov. 8, 2014, after battling several illnesses. He was 84. He was born in Saline County on June 14, 1930, to Max and Ethel Feazel Stout. “He’s been around here all his life,” said his brother Gary Stout. Donald “Don” grew up in Harrisburg and was known as some say, a good ole’ boy. “Don was an easy-going guy, a good guy,” said his brother. “I can only remember one time in my whole life where I ever saw him get mad.” He enlisted in the Army in 1951 and served two years in Korea as a cook. He would tell his family that he spent most of his time peeling potatoes. He was later in the reserves until his final discharge in 1961. His brother says he can remember going to pick him up after Korea from the old train depot in town. After returning to Harrisburg, he began working at Harrisburg Manufacturing Company (Cap Factory). He worked there for 38 years. He married Carol Felty on May 12, 1956. Outside of work, Stout kept himself busy by raccoon and rabbit hunting. “Don was a hunter,” said his brother. “That was his enjoyment.” In 1968, he won three state field trials with his redbone coonhound, Cherokee Red. He also spent many years buying and selling coon dogs for Art Loman. His son, Danny, says he spent many summers with his father running and working with coon dogs. “His passion was the dogs,” he said. “He loved trading dogs.” Don also enjoyed watching old westerns, the Scyfy channel, and B-flick movies. He loved his little dog Midget, Bingo scratch-off lottery tickets and going to Ellis Park Horse Racing Track in Henderson, Kentucky with Danny and good friend David Lyons. He was a member of the American Legion and Stonefort Missionary Baptist Church He is survived by his wife, Carol Stout, of Harrisburg; his sons Danny Stout and Mike Stout of Harrisburg; one brother, Gary Stout of Eldorado; one sister, Marlene Jones of Springfield; and several nieces and nephews. Also surviving are his eight grandchildren, Sabrina Stout-Mason, Danae’ Chapman, Mishell Schwartz, Kaitlin Stout-Wilson, and Dakota, Destanie, Devanie and Dawson Stout; and 5 great-grandchildren. Four brothers, Bob, Tom, Johnny, and Ronnie; three sisters, Blanche McDermott, Phyllis Craig, and Sedena Butler; and infant son, Max Gene, died earlier. Graveside services will be at 11 a.m. Wednesday November 12, 2014 at Big Ridge Cemetery, Military Rites will be conducted by the Carrier Mills American Legion, Harrisburg American Legion and the Army National Guard Ritual Team. There will be no visitation, all friends and family should go directly to the cemetery. Reverend Keith Bunfill will officiate. Memorial contributions can be made to Hospice of Southern Illinois, 305 South Illinois, Belleville, IL 62220.