Donnie Gale Savage

Donnie Gale Savage, 78, passed away Friday, Aug. 2, 2019, at his residence in Jacksonville. Donnie was born, Feb. 11, 1941, in the White Hall Hospital. He was the son of the late Leo and Beulah Lawson Savage. Donnie grew up on a farm about one mile east of Glasgow. His grade school years were at Alsey where he played on the basketball team called “Alsey Red Devils”. Donnie said they were probably all “little devils”. In 1962, Donnie resided in Springfield with his sister and her family. He attended the National Barber College in Springfield. His teacher was Mr. Bechtel. There were 25 students in his class. He was required to have 1872 hours of training and pass a 120-question quiz before becoming an apprentice barber. Donnie served his apprenticeship under Mr. Fred Hazelrigg at the old Dunlap Hotel in Jacksonville. After 27 months of apprenticeship, he was required to text again. The test consisted of 60 questions. Following him passing the test, Donnie received his Master license. On May 31, 1966, Donnie married Marsha Lynn Gregory in Corinth, MS. They resided in Bluffs where they raised their sons, Eric, Troy, and Tony. Marsha preceded him in death, May 7, 1989. Donnie operated barber shops in Bluffs and Meredosia for several years. In February of 1984, a tragic accident in Springfield at a tractor pull took the life of Marsha and Donnie’s oldest son, Eric, at the age of 16. In July of 1965, Donnie and Clem Anders opened a new barber shop on the south side of the square in Winchester. They worked together for several years until Donnie went to work for the State of Illinois in the maintenance department at the School of the Visually Impaired. He worked there until his retirement. On April 11, 2003, Donnie married Elizabeth Jane Bess. She preceded him in death, April 23, 2011. Donnie is survived by two sons, James Troy Savage and Tony Savage, both of Jacksonville; five siblings, Walter (Jean) Savage of Winchester, Charles Savage of Winchester, Leo Savage Jr. of Carrollton, Sandra Martin of Jacksonville, and Reta Killebrew of Winchester and three granddaughters, Riley, Logan and Piper. He was preceded in death by six brothers, Carol, Vernon, Royce, Eddie, Dewey, and infant brother, Dinny. Donnie loved fishing, hunting and trap shooting. He was a member of the Glasgow Sportsman Club and the Jacksonville Sportsman Club. He enjoyed races of all kinds and loved to see many events. He especially enjoyed NASCAR races. Funeral services will be held 2:00 p.m. Friday, Aug. 9, 2019, at the Daws Family Funeral Home in Winchester with interment in the Winchester City Cemetery. Visitation will be held Friday from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service at the funeral home. Memorials are suggested to the St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

Donnie Gale Savage

February 11, 1941 - August 2, 2019