Mr. Donald R. Krull, 81, of Galesburg passed peacefully, in the company of his children, at 6:43 p.m., Friday, November 12, 2021 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
He was born October 27, 1940 in Streator, Illinois, the son of Raymond and Ester (May) Krull. Donald married his beloved Marjorie Potter (Marge) on June 10, 1962 at the First Presbyterian Church in her hometown of Pontiac, Illinois. She preceded him in death on July 18, 2019.
He is survived by two sons, Scott (Julie) Krull of Davidson, North Carolina; and Steve (Beth) Krull of Maumee, Ohio; and five grandchildren Alexander (Gunjan), Jessica (Richard Day), Kelsey (Lucas Rhodenbaugh), Emily (Kavon Lackey) and Peter, and great-grandchild George Wittmer Rhodenbaugh. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Don was raised on the family farm in Toluca, Illinois and was mechanically inclined from an early age. He played baseball for his high school team and graduated from Toluca High School in 1958. During the summers he worked at the local Ford dealership, sparking his lifelong love of antique cars. He then graduated from Bradley University in 1962 with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. While in college he took on leadership roles in both the Bradley Flying Club and the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity.
Upon graduation in 1962, he joined the Caterpillar Engineering Team. In 1984, Don had a pivotal role in the startup of Porsche Aviation, a division of Porsche of Germany, while living in Stuttgart, Germany, and Galesburg. He went on to become the President of Porsche Aviation.
In 1988, Don rejoined Caterpillar, Inc., and finished his career as Caterpillar’s director of Power Sources Research and Development, retiring in 1999.
Don and Marge enjoyed retirement immensely, visiting family and friends around the world. They toured extensively with Model T clubs around the United States in cars Don had restored himself. Don was also an avid big game hunter. He and Marge traveled to Africa, New Zealand, Spain, and many other countries. In 2010, he was honored to win the Gold Trophy Animal of South Pacific Award. The people they met on their travels became their dear friends.
An accomplished private pilot and instructor, Don enjoyed sharing his passion with others. Inspiring his son, Steve, among others, to pursue their private pilot licenses. He was an active supporter of the Stearman Foundation and flew as recently as Labor Day at the Stearman Fly-in here in Galesburg.
Don’s strong work ethic, integrity, and love of family will be lovingly remembered.
Visitation will be from 5-7 p.m., Tuesday November 16, 2021 at Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Services, Galesburg Chapel. Funeral Services will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, November 17, 2021 at Messiah Lutheran Church. Pastor Kurt Carlsen will officiate. Burial will be in Henderson Grove Cemetery. Memorials may be made to Messiah Lutheran Church in memory of Donald R. Krull. Online condolences may be made at
www.h-p-w.com