Obituary of Donald Eugene Rutherford

Don passed away peacefully at the Laurels of Galesburg on Sunday, January 20, 2019. He was born in Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, on August 27, 1934, the son of Adrian and Mary Alice (Belt) Rutherford. Don moved to Augusta as a teen and spent his life in the Galesburg-Augusta area.

At Galesburg-Augusta High School, Don excelled in basketball and tennis. He was on the State Champion tennis team and graduated in 1952. He also met the love of his life there, Nancy Eldridge. They were married on August 21, 1954, and were very happy together for almost 58 years until her death in 2012.

Don graduated from Western Michigan University in 1956. He worked as an accountant/controller for the A.M. Todd Company in Kalamazoo for 27 years, retiring in 1991. He also had his own successful tax business for many years.

Don cared deeply for his family and was an excellent provider. He enjoyed traveling and took the family on several memorable vacations including Philadelphia, Washington D.C., and a particularly special trip to Haiti in 1979.  After retirement, Don and Nancy purchased a cabin in Moran, in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where they had many happy vacations with family and friends.  He could often be found walking his property in the morning, bird-watching during the day, telling stories around the fire pit at night, and visiting the casino. Don often said those were the best times of his life.

Don will be dearly missed, but his family is comforted in knowing that he and Nancy are reunited again. He was preceded in death by his parents, his stepfather James Truman, and his brother Marion. He is survived by his children, Dana Rutherford, David Rutherford, Mary (Mark) Scott, and Amy (Steve) Martin. He particularly enjoyed his grandchildren Paul (Katie) Scott, Jennifer Snyder, John Scott, Sarah Reck, and Mary Monaghan, and great grandchildren Logan, Savannah, Sophia, and Brooklyn Scott.

In accordance with Don’s wishes, there will be no services. Cremation has taken place. Arrangements by Whitley Funeral Home. Please visit Don’s webpage and guestbook at www.whitleymemorialfuneralhome.com

The family would like to thank Borgess Reverence Hospice for their care and kindness. Memorials in Don’s memory can be directed to them.