Donald Bivens

Donald Bivens

Age 81 of Mazon, passed away Friday evening August 31, 2007 at Morris Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center.

Born January 27, 1926 in Marseilles, Illinois, Don was a son of the late John Carroll and Mildred Chapman-Bivens. He was raised and educated in Marseilles and was a graduate of Barber's College in Peoria. Don was a veteran of the US Navy and served during World War II throughout the Atlantic, Pacific and Mediterranean Theaters of Operation. It was in San Francisco, California that Don met Ruth Jeanette Derby whom he married on September 14, 1946. Donald and Ruth moved back to the area after marriage and lived most of their married life in Mazon. Together they owned and operated D and R Restaurant in Mazon for over ten years, where Don also had his Barber's Shop within the restaurant. He later retired from Kraft Foods in Marseilles. Don was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris and a member of the Mazon American Legion for over 61 years. In his free time he greatly enjoyed playing cards and cribbage, collecting coins and was an avid Saint Louis Cardinals fan. Don always looked forward to and enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren, as well as attending their school and sporting activities.

Survivors include five sons: Carroll (Martha) Bivens of Gardner, Barry (Susan) Bivens of Mazon, Donald (Ruby) Bivens of Plano, Lee Bivens of Morris and Randy (Athena) Bivens of The Colony, Texas. Twelve grandchildren: Rick Bivens, Jeanette Bivens, Laura Bivens, Jeremy (Sarah) Bivens, Joshua (Laura) Bivens and Jonathan Bivens, Gayle Ruble, Christopher (Nicole) Bivens, Justin Bivens, Tabitha (Tim) Berenyi, Matthew Bivens and Faith Bivens. Six great grandchildren: Justis, Ethan, Cobie, Breanne, Oliva and Caroline; three sisters-in-law: Lorraine (the late Irving) Derby, Ellen "Lynn" (the late John Bivens) Pedigo and Edna (the late Charles Bivens) Blasius. One special cousin Marilyn (Sonny) Kress and his close friend Bob Lee, as well as numerous nieces, nephews, distant cousins and friends.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Ruth Jeanette on June 14, 2005, two brothers: John and Charles Bivens and one sister Mildred White.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday September 04, 2007 between the hours of 4:00PM and 8:00PM at Reeves Funeral Home, 408 East Washington Street (one block East of Illinois Route 47) in Morris.

Funeral services will follow on Wednesday September 5th at 1:30PM in Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Morris, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated with Rev. Richard Smith officiating.

Burial with full military honors provided by the Mazon American Legion will be in Mazon Brookside Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Rick Bivens, Jeremy Bivens, Joshua Bivens, Jonathan Bivens, Christopher Bivens, Justin Bivens and Matthew Bivens.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Don's memory to his family for distribution to local charities of their choice.

Friends may sign the online guest book or send private condolences to the family by logging onto: www.ReevesFuneral.com

Funeral services and arrangements are under the direction of Reeves Funeral Homes, Ltd. in