Donald Eugene Sykes, 87 of Canton, Missouri died Wednesday, May 2, 2012 at 5:57 PM at Blessing Hospital in Quincy, Illinois.

The son of Van Murphy and Lucy Frances Watts Sykes was born on May 16, 1924 at Hannibal, Missouri.

He was united in marriage to Catherine McColloch on June 9, 1946 at Hannibal, Missouri.

Don served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He received a Bronze Star for the New Guinea Campaign. He was a member and former church board president of Canton Christian Church. He was Adjutant of Otto Bruner Post # 170 American Legion, member of Canton Betterment Group, volunteered for Pepsi-Titan Little People’s Golf Tournament and staff photographer for Press-News Journal. He had previously served on the Canton R-V School Board, Sun-n-Surf Pool Board and manager and charter member of River Valley Country Club. Don also owned and operated Don’s Grand Leader from 1957 to 1987, worked as bookkeeper at Culver-Stockton College, a member of TKE Fraternity and was the 2009 Culver-Stockton Homecoming Co-Parade Marshall.

He is survived by his wife Catherine “Katie” Sykes of Canton, MO, daughter, Patricia “Pattie Sykes” Sides & her husband Ray of Houston, TX; daughter-in-law, Marcia Sykes of Terlingua, TX; grandson, Charles “Chuck” Hutton of Houston, TX; three step-grandchildren, Steven & Jami Sides of Katy, TX and Jeremy Sides of Little Rock, AR; two step-great grandchildren, Kyla and Kaz Sides; aunt, Wilma Rosser of Kingsport, TN; sister-in-law, Mary McColloch and several nieces & nephews of the St. Louis area.

He was preceded in death by his parents and son Donald Eugene Sykes, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Monday, May 7, 2012 at 3:00 PM at the Canton Christian Church with Rev. Ron Frazier officiating with inurnment in the Forest Grove Cemetery. Graveside military honors by Canton Otto Bruner Post # 170 American Legion.

Visitation will be held Sunday evening from 4 until 7 PM at Arnold’s Funeral Home in Canton.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to the Canton Christian Church, Culver-Stockton College Scholarship Fund or the donor’s choice.

Honorary pallbearers are members of Otto Bruner Post # 170.

Music: Organist: Fred Helsabeck