Donald E. Davenport, age 78, of Monroe, died Tuesday, September 9, 2014 at his home. He was born on June 15, 1936 in Santa Fe, New Mexico; the son of Dorothy F. Rose and foster child of Merle and Dorothy (Dow) Davenport. Don graduated from Freeport High School and attended U. W. Madison. He married Dorothy Wald in 1957 in Monroe; he later married Mary Jo Goecks on October 7, 1995 in Elizabeth, IL. Don started out working for Moore Business Forms, then went to work for WEKZ Radio in Monroe, then went to work for WIBA Radio in Madison. Donald decided to make a change and became a free-lance writer and photographer; he authored numerous books, as well as many newspapers, magazines and articles.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, and he enjoyed traveling and writing about his interests in the Midwest; which included lighthouses, trains and many local attractions.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Goecks of Monroe; a son, Phillip (Judy Haight) Davenport of Madison, and step-son, Jeremy (Michelle Young) Goecks of Ashburn, VA; a daughter, Stephanie (Ken) Funck of Sun Prairie; grandchildren: Max and Abby Funck and step-granddaughter, Summer Young-Goecks; sister, Joan (Mark) Springer of Rockford.
He was preceded in death by his mother, foster parents, and a special aunt, Phyllis Brinkmier.
A special thank you goes out to the caregivers who gave special care to Don: Deb Garr, Terri Dunlavey, Kortney Pippenger, Jeanette Carpenter and Jordyn Steinmann.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until time of service at the Church.
A memorial fund is being established in Don's memory.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.
He was a member of St. John's United Church of Christ, and he enjoyed traveling and writing about his interests in the Midwest; which included lighthouses, trains and many local attractions.
He is survived by his wife, Mary Jo Goecks of Monroe; a son, Phillip (Judy Haight) Davenport of Madison, and step-son, Jeremy (Michelle Young) Goecks of Ashburn, VA; a daughter, Stephanie (Ken) Funck of Sun Prairie; grandchildren: Max and Abby Funck and step-granddaughter, Summer Young-Goecks; sister, Joan (Mark) Springer of Rockford.
He was preceded in death by his mother, foster parents, and a special aunt, Phyllis Brinkmier.
A special thank you goes out to the caregivers who gave special care to Don: Deb Garr, Terri Dunlavey, Kortney Pippenger, Jeanette Carpenter and Jordyn Steinmann.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 13, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at St. John's United Church of Christ with Rev. Todd Hackman officiating. Burial will follow in Greenwood Cemetery. A visitation will be held Saturday from 2:00 p.m. until time of service at the Church.
A memorial fund is being established in Don's memory.
Condolences may be sent to the family at: shriner111.com.