Donald D Waterman

Donald D. Waterman, 79, of Beecher, passed away Friday, January 3, 2014. Visitation will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Thursday, January 9 at Hack Funeral Home in Beecher. Funeral Services will be held on Friday, January 10 at 10 am at St. John United Church of Christ, Beecher. Pastor Susan Lock will officiate. Burial will be at St. John UCC Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to St. John United Church of Christ. Donald was born February 24, 1934 in Beecher, the son of Harry and Alma (Schrage) Waterman. He graduated from Beecher High School and honorably served his country in the U.S. Army. He married the former Marilyn Unruh on July 20, 1957, in Beecher. Donald was retired from manufacturing and was a lifelong farmer at heart. He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Marilyn; 6 children, Joy Walker, of Grant Park, Gay Gorniak, of Valparaiso, IN, Tom (Peggy) Waterman, Valrico, FL, Jim Waterman, Beecher, Dan Waterman, Beecher and Sue (Jim) Wente of Lowell, IN; 11 grandchildren, Tim (Michele) Walker, Jeni (Jeff) Mendrala, Jason Walker, Karli Walker, Bryan (Jennifer) Walker, John, Lauren and Mark Waterman, Ashley (Dave) Griffiths, Ben and Sarah Wente; 3 great-grandchildren, Olivia and Lillian Walker, Nathan Mendrala; one sister, Harriet Batterman, of Romeoville; one brother-in-law, Franklin (Patricia) Unruh of Beecher; and many loved nephews and nieces. Donald was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Frank Waterman, one sister, Marge Stadt, and his father and mother-in-law, Vern and Sylvia Unruh. Donald was a kind and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved spending time with all of his kids, grandchildren and especially great-grandchildren. He loved the outdoors and enjoyed spending time cutting grass, gardening and tinkering in his workshop. He was an active member of St. John UCC, Beecher, served as a council member several times and maintained the church grounds and cemetery for over 40 years. Online condolences may be left for the family at HackFuneralHome.com.