Donald R. Edson Sr., 77, of Collinsville, Ill., born Aug. 5, 1934, in East St. Louis, Ill., died at 10:54 a.m. on Sunday, July 22, 2012, at Anderson Hospital in Maryville, Ill.



Mr. Edson was a US Navy veteran and a member of the Caseyville VFW.



Donald was preceded in death by his children, Donald Edson Jr., and Kathleen Albertina; a great-grandson, Jaxson "Jaxx" Boone; his parents, Carl and Zona, nee Durkey, Edson; and brother, Dennis Edson.



Surviving are his wife, Earlene, nee Chambers, Edson of Collinsville, Ill., whom he married on Feb. 15, 1958; son-in-law, Frank Albertina of Collinsville, Ill.; grandsons, Eric D. (Melissa) Boone Sr., of Troy, Ill., Anthony D. Albertina of Collinsville, Ill., Andrew Albertina of Collinsville, Ill., and Aaron (Kayla) Albertina of Granite City, Ill.; great-grandchildren, Eric "E.J." Boone Jr., Maxwell "Maxx" Boone, Maclaryne "Macye" Boone, Carson Albertina and Jayson "Jaxx" Coleman; brothers, Kenneth Edson of Collinsville, Ill., and Gary Edson of Collinsville, Ill.; brother-in-law, Mike (Heidi) Hamilton of Pennsylvania; sister-in-law, Pam (Terry) Roberson of Waterloo, Ill.; and special friends, Kay and Dave Benson.



Memorials may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society . Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.herrfuneral.com.



Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, July 25, 2012, at Herr Funeral Home in Collinsville, Ill.



Funeral: Services will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 26, 2012, at the funeral home with Chris Funkhouser officiating. Interment in Mount Hope Cemetery in Belleville, Ill.