Donald Laverne Secrist, 80, of Du Quoin, passed away at 5:27 P.M., Thursday, January 30, 2025 at High Point Assisted Living in Centralia, IL.
Don was born on February 26, 1944 in Seattle, WA, the son of David Laverne and Luella (Reimolds) Secrist.
He graduated in 1962 from Williamsfield High School in Williamsfield, IL.  Soon after graduation, he signed a contract with the Baltimore Orioles baseball team.  He also pitched for the Cincinnati Reds, had a major league stint (1969 to 1970) with the Chicago White Sox and finished his career with the Chicago Cubs Triple A Team.  He worked as a dozer operator at Mecco Coal Mine in Victoria, IL and Captain Mine in Percy, IL, as well as Horse Creek and Knight Hawk coal mines.  He retired in 2006.  He was an avid hunter, fisherman, and enjoyed golf.  Don was a member of UMWA.
On September 14, 1963, he married Donna J. Blust at United Methodist Church in Williamsfield, IL.  They were parents to three children.
Left to mourn his passing is his wife Donna, daughter Kim (Mark) Mathis of Du Quoin, son Chad (Francine) Secrist of Wilmington, NC, two grandchildren Austin (Holly) Mathis and Abbey (Jake) Parnell, four great grandchildren Margot and Ramona Mathis and Leah and Kohen Parnell, two sisters Sharon (Duane) Miles and Debbie (Steve) Powers, sister-in-law Teresa (Pat) Burns, brother-in-law Stephen (Debbie) Blust, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his son Jeff Secrist, his father David Secrist, his mother and step father Luella and Don Edelman, his father-in-law Lloyd Blust, his mother-in-law and step father-in-law Betty and Kenny DeWolfe, and his beloved grandparents George and Clara Secrist.
Per Don's request, cremation will be conducted.  There will be no visitation or funeral.
Searby Funeral Home in Du Quoin assisted the family with arrangements.