Donald Caldwell Jr.

Donald E. Caldwell Jr., 69, of Dutchtown died Sunday, Nov. 2, 2008, at Life Care Center in Cape Girardeau.

He was born Dec. 28, 1938, in Cape Girardeau, son of Donald E. and Deana Thompson Caldwell. He and Elsie Underwood were married June 15, 1974, in Cape Girardeau.

Caldwell served in the U.S. Navy from Jan. 15, 1957, to Jan. 13, 1961.

He was a truck driver 45 years, retiring from Gilster-Mary Lee Corp. in Perryville, Mo. He was a member of Hobbs Chapel United Methodist Church. Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle and brother to his family.

He is survived by his wife, Elsie Caldwell of Dutchtown; two daughters, Rhonda (Tim) Dunham and Charleen Hinkle of Cape Girardeau; a son, Rodney (Jessica) Underwood of Cape Girardeau; nine grandchildren, Billy Underwood, Tyler (Katlyn) Underwood, Stefanie Underwood, Andrew Hinkle, Ashley Underwood, Elizabeth Hinkle, Adam Hinkle, Haylee Kilburn, Kensie Kilburn, all of Cape Girardeau; and a great-granddaughter, Kaylyn Spies of Cape Girardeau.

Also four sisters, Mary Lou (Bob) Reid, Janet (Bill) Whitlock, Karen (Bill) Gibbs, Pam (Tom) Gibbar; three brothers, Larry (Linda) Caldwell, Mike Caldwell, Tim (Kristina) Caldwell; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. today at Ford and Sons Sprigg Street Funeral Home.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Janet Hopkins officiating. Burial will be in Hobbs Chapel Cemetery with military rites by Missouri Honor Team.