Donivan Gene Stealey, 82, passed away peacefully in his sleep on the morning of January 26th, 2017. He was born March 13, 1934 in Middlebourne, West Virginia. He was preceded in death by his young mother, Edna (Fletcher) Stealey.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Erline (Hardcastle) Stealey, and his two children, John Stealey (Carol) and Linda Carr (Mel). Papa Don was a proud grandfather of his four granddaughters, Christina and Catherine Carr, and Lauren and Hannah Stealey.

Donivan enjoyed spending time with his family, listening to country music, watching Nascar races, gardening and working on anything mechanical.

During his 82 years of life, he proudly served during the Korean Conflict era as a helicopter mechanic in the U.S. Army. He also worked as a railroad engineer for the Rock Island and Illinois Central. Don was a graduate of ERHS Class of 1952.

Donivan will be greatly missed by all that knew him and will be memorialized at a later date in Granville, TN.

Daily Southtown (Chicago, IL) - Sunday, March 26, 2017