Don DeWees, 82, of Macomb, formerly of Astoria, died at 5:58 a.m. Nov. 3, 2020, at home.Don DeWees, 82, of Macomb, formerly of Astoria, died at 5:58 a.m. Nov. 3, 2020, at home.
He was born Oct. 27, 1938, in Cleveland, Tenn., a son of Willard and Mary Gilliland DeWees. He married Betty Ann Cufaude on June 19, 1960, in Mason City. She survives.
Also surviving are one daughter, Julie DeWees of Macomb; two sons, Todd DeWees of Springfield and Tim DeWees of Table Grove; two brothers, Dave DeWees of Havana and George DeWees of Lincoln; and two grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by one brother, Frank DeWees.
He was a graduate of Havana High School in 1957 and Western Illinois University in 1964. A schoolteacher for 40 years, he began at Deer Creek-Mackinaw for three years, then 37 years at Astoria High School, teaching driver’s education and health. He was a registered football and basketball official since 1964. He coached for nine years prior to his officiating career, which began in 1973. He became certified in 1976 and began working the IHSA football playoffs, eventually officiating the State Championship game in 2001. He officiated many boys and girls basketball Regional, Sectional and Super-Sectional games.
He was a member of the Midwest Officials Association in Jacksonville and the West Central Officials Association in Macomb, where he served as President and was rules chairman for basketball and football for five years. He was very active in the Astoria community.
He was a member of Astoria United Methodist Church and a charter member of the Astoria Lions Club, serving as President from 1984-85. He also was a member of the Masonic Lodge, initiated in 1974, passed on May 11, 1978, and raised on May 25, 1978. He served as Grand Master of the Astoria Masonic Lodge #100 AF & AM in 1983.
Cremation rites have been accorded.
Memorial services will be held at a later date. Shawgo Memorial Home in Astoria was in charge of arrangements.
Memorials may be made to McDonough District Hospice or the Astoria Lions Club and may be sent to Shawgo Memorial Home, PO Box 525, Astoria, IL 61501.
Condolences may be sent to www.shawgomemorialhome.org.
Current Obituaries in the Astoria South Fulton Argus