Donald M. Carlson, 86, of Belvidere, died at 12:45 P.M. Tuesday, August 19, 2008, in Maple Crest Care Center following a brief illness. Don was born in Chemung on February 28, 1922, the son of Sven Otto and Ellen Elvera Hallen Carlson. A graduate of Capron High School, he married Viva Mae Johnson on April 8, 1947, in Harvard. He worked on the family farm prior to his 14 year employment at Barber Colman, 10 years with T & D Metals, and retired in 1987 as a crib supervisor at Camcar Textron after 15 years. Don attended Belvidere Evangelical Covenant Church and was a past master of the County Line and Capron Granges as well as past president of the Hobby Club and a member of the Boone County Garden Club. A member of Belvidere Moose Lodge, he enjoyed gardening, making wooden ornaments and lamps, and treasured his cat "Snickers."A beloved and devoted family man, Don is survived by his wife, Vi; daughters Susan Sterling (Greg Hanson) of Rockford and Melinda (Larry) Rubert of Belvidere; son Jeff (Karen) Carlson of Rockford; grandchildren Brett (Julia Wiemer) Rubert, Katy (Marty) Small, Hollie (Andrew Nelson) Carlson, Jayme Carlson, Bethany Carlson, Jack Carlson, and Eric Hanson; brother Raymond Burdette (Vertie) Carlson of Ottawa; sister-in-law Ida Carlson; and brother-in-law Boyd (Marilyn) Johnson. He was predeceased by his parents, sisters Audrey Meyer and Adeline Rudeen, and brothers Wilmer and William Carlson, and Robert Johnson.

Memorials may be made in his name to the family for a memorial to be determined at a later date.