JONESBORO - Don Ayers Conant, 82, died at 4:00 p.m. June 15, 2008, with his loving family around him. Don was born April 24, 1926, in Anna, Union County. He was the fourth child of James G. and Lura (Barnhart) Conant. Following graduation from Anna-Jonesboro Community High School, Don joined the Marine Corp. He proudly served his country in the Pacific theater during World War II. He returned home after his tour of duty and married Rosalee Casper in Anna on June 10, 1947. Rosalee preceded him in death May 5, 1996. Don worked with Texas Eastern Pipeline Company in Wheelersburg, Ohio, where he lived for 45 years and raised five children. On July 4, 1997, Don returned to Anna and married Norma Jean Dillow. Don was a member of the First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Don is survived by his wife, Norma; three daughters and sons-in-law, Cheryl and Doug Pomeroy of Newcastle, Wash., Donna and Bob Stapleton of Anderson, Ind., and Nancy and Erick Williams of Newark, Ohio; two sons and daughters-in-law, David and Robin Conant of Camden, Del., and Ronald and Caryn Conant of Westerville, Ohio; two stepchildren and their spouses, Trena and Jeff Boyd of Auburn, Neb., and Jerry and Cathy Dillow of Jonesboro; 10 grandchildren and their spouses, Kim and Mike Murdock of Lapel, Ind., Debbie and Jamie Lake of Jeffersonville, Ind., Stacy and Micheal Burnelle of Newcastle, Wash., Ericka and Garrott Williams of Newark, Ohio, Andy and Sarah Conant of Camden, Del., and Kristin, Michelle and Justin Conant of Westerville, Ohio; five stepgrandchildren and their spouses, Kim Boyd of Corolville, Iowa, Sheryl and Tim Thiele of Henderson, Nev., Andrew Boyd of Eureka, Lindsey Harp of Metropolis and Laura and Brandon Smithy of Jonesboro; seven great-grandchildren, Seth, Cole and Jenna Lake, Taylor and Aiden Murdock and London and Max Burnelle; brothers and sisters-in-law, James and Arlene Conant of St. Peters, Mo., Joe and Sonia Conant of West Hills, Calif., and Ralph and Gayle Conant of White Cloud, Mich.; two sisters and one brother-in-law, Virginia and Bob Quigley of Eldon, Mo., and Barbara Wright of Belleville; one brother-in-law, Carroll Belcher of Anna; and one sister-in-law, Betty Conant of Wentzeville, Mo. Don was preceded in death by his parents, James and Lura Conant; his first wife, Rosalee Conant; two sisters, Mary Ellen Lister and Dorothy Lea Belcher; and one brother, John Conant. Services will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2008, in Rendleman and Hileman Funeral Home in Jonesboro, with the Rev. Joe Aldridge officiating. Visitation will be at the funeral home from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday. Burial will be in Casper Cemetery. Memorials may be made to First Baptist Church of Jonesboro. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on 6/17/2008.