Donald Lee Sires, 85, of Strasburg, died Wednesday August 12, 2015 at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center in Mattoon.  Graveside services with military rites at Haven Hill Cemetery in Olney with Rev. Paul McGheghy officiating.

Donald was born December 26, 1929 in Olney, the son of Burleigh and Ethel Marie Payne Sires.  He married Sandra Jean Bell on June 3, 1967 in Rock Island.  She survives.

He was a U.S. Army veteran.  Donald was a machine operator at Caterpillar in Decatur, retiring after 25 years of service.  He was a member of United Auto Workers Local 751 in Decatur.

He is survived by his wife, Sandra; son, Ronald Lee Hackett of Kerrville, Texas; daughters, Cheryl Lee Harmon of West Buxton, Maine; Tonya Sue White of Sullivan and Michelle Lee Sires-Iffert of Fairview Heights; seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Leonard, Victor and Bobby Sires and a sister, Virginia Parson.

Memorials to American Cancer Society.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL) – Thursday, August 13, 2015