Mr. Weisenstein was a 1954 graduate of Belleville Township High School and lettered in both football and wrestling. He attended Belleville Area College and was a member of the National Honor Society. Don continued his education at the University of Missouri Rolla and graduated in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering. He was on the Dean’s Honor List his senior year of college. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve from 1954 to 1958, and then served in the United States Army, both active duty and Reserve, from 1958 to 1963. Don was a staff sergeant in a field artillery battalion in charge of the survey unit. He was a member of the American Legion Post 1937, past treasurer of the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers, and a member of the Illinois Association of Highway Engineers. He was also a member of the River King Retriever Club, Retrievers Unlimited, and his dog, Eldorado Max, was a field trial champion. Don was a registered professional engineer and head of the local roads department with the Illinois Department of Transportation. He retired in 1991. He was an avid bowler, awarded for rolling a 300 game and games over 700. After retirement, he enjoyed spending time rebuilding his clubhouse, the Mallard Hunt Club, and conserving the land. He also spent his retirement, and often his working life, hunting deer, duck and geese. The flocks breathed a collective sigh of relief with Bill Buss and Don out of the wetlands.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Lyman J. and Mildred R., nee Feickert, Weisenstein; and a brother, Curt Weisenstein.
Surviving are his wife, Barbara Weisenstein, nee Keller, whom he married on Nov. 22, 1974;
four children, Michelle (Jeff Kinnikin) Kraintz, Brad (Kathryn) Weisenstein, Beth (Robert) Manville, and Tiffany Gulk; seven grandchildren, Kara Weisenstein, Aaron Manville, Jessica Kraintz, Lauren (Tim) Bainter, Taylor Gulk, Rose Weisenstein, and Trevor Kraintz; and a great-granddaughter, Ava Bainter; two brothers, Kent (Joan) Weisenstein and Hugh (Linda) Weisenstein; nieces and nephews; and his dog, Duke.
Memorials may be made to Paws for Purple Hearts, or the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 3, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, with Pastor Brian Downs officiating.