Donald Jardine

Donald Clarence Jardine, 93, died peacefully at 4:01 a.m., Tuesday, May 17, 2016 at his home in Pleasant Plains. He was born on September 16, 1922 in Youngstown, OH to the late William & Estele Jardine. His father died when Don was just a young boy, at which time his mother re-married to James Freckleton and together joined their families into one and provided a happy home for Don and his siblings.  Don was raised in Youngstown and after graduating High School, enlisted with the United States Naval Air Force, where he served our country honorably in World War II. He married the former Virginia Sears on November 26, 1982 in Youngtown, and together they were blessed with 33 years of marriage and a wonderful life together.Don was an extremely intelligent man, and a gifted Architect; he owned and operated his own firm for several years before accepting a position with the Illinois Department of Public Health where he retired in 1990 after many years of dedicated service.  He took an interest in Astronomy and devoted much time gaining knowledge on the subject and sharing it with many others through the Sangamon County Astronomy Club, which he founded in 1952 and remains in existence still today. Above all, Don loved his family. He was a devoted and loving husband to his wife, and an inspiration and role model to his children and grandchildren. His memory will be cherished by all who had the great pleasure of knowing him.Surviving are his wife, Virginia Jardine of Pleasant Plains; a son and daughter-in-law, Gary & Beverly Johnson of Roanoke, IL; three daughters, Judith Liehr of Springfield; Marilyn Hobson of Ozark, MO and Sarah Short of Jacksonville; eight grandchildren, Gary Johnson Jr. of Stanford; Jessica Johnson of Pontiac; April Chong of Rochester, MN; Amber Sanders of Clinton; Katie Johnson of Haines City, FL; Derrick Johnson  and Keri Johnson both of Marion, NC and Cassidy Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; fourteen great-grandchildren; a brother, Calvin Jardine of North Carolina and a half-brother, James Freckleton of Youngstown, OH. In addition to his parents, and his step-father, Don was preceded in death by a son Randy Johnson and a half-sister, Laurine Freckleton. Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until time of funeral services at 12 noon, Saturday, May 21, 2016 at the Crawford Funeral Home in Jerseyville. Burial will take place at the Grimes-Neeley Cemetery in Jerseyville. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to the West Congregation of Jehovah’s Witness of Springfield  in care of the funeral home.

Obit Provided By:
Crawford Funeral Home