Don was born June 25, 1932 in Farmington, Illinois to the late Albert
C. Schoonover and the late Josephine A. Tunis. Don was also
preceded in death by his stepmother, Narka Schoonover; a
grandchild, Sabrina Clark. He is survived by his wife, Betty Vaughn;
his children, Debra Schoonover Fleck (Paul), Steve Schoonover
(Madonna), and Kristi Schoonover (Dail); also the mother of his
children, Yvonne Schoonover; he is also survived by a stepson, Russ
Vaughn; one stepdaughter, Karen Vaughn Burns (Bill); his five
grandchildren, Ryan and Ashley Fleck, Maria Schoonover (Clint
Wagner), Joseph Clark, and Kayla Pride; his four step grandchildren,
Will Burns (Kate), Jack Burns (Melody), Sally Burns, and Tripp Vaughn;
seven great grandchildren, Stetson Wagner, Novia and Luke Clark,
Ethan and Elijah Ridgeway, Eva Winland, and Emily Thomas; one step-
great grandchild Dottie Burns; one brother, Randy Schoonover. Also a
cousin, Peggy Meyer survives.
Don grew up on a farm in southern Illinois. After graduating from
Farmington High School in 1950, he went to work as a machinist for
the Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL. In 1952, he then joined
the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Don
served his country with honor until 1955. After his honorable
discharge from the Air Force, he attended the Missouri School of
Mines in Rolla, MO from 1955-58. He graduated with a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering. He later received his Professional
Engineering license. After Don’s graduation, he started working at
Union Carbide in Paducah, KY as an engineer. From 1962-67, Don had
the opportunity to work at Pratt &Whitney in Jupiter, FL where he
took great pride in assisting with the design of the engine for the Air
Force SR71-Blackbird. In 1967, Don then returned to work with Union
Carbide in Marietta, OH as an engineer and retired from there in 1977.
After retirement, he purchased a farm in Macksburg, OH and became
self-employed as a farmer where he enjoyed getting back to working
with his hands. In 1995, Don was a part-time resident of Fort Myers,
FL where he cared for his aging father. During this time he met and
married Betty Vaughn in 1999, they began their life together in Cape
Coral, FL. They then relocated to McIntosh County, GA in 2002, where
he assisted in the construction of their home and became an active
and dedicated member of his community. He served as the Chairman
of McIntosh County Tax Assessors, Chairman of the Darien United
Methodist Church’s Finance Committee for 5 years, a primary
volunteer for the Old Jail Art Center renovation, and a board member
of Springfield Plantation HOA. Don was known for his outgoing
personality, active lifestyle, caring nature and positive outlook. He
made many friends in many circles throughout his life. Some of the
organizations he was a member of were the Shriners, Elks, American
Legion and the Live Oak Masonic Lodge. He was also an amateur ham
radio operator and a member of the Metter Road Runners camping
group. He had a passion for sailing which prompted him to get his
Captain’s license. He also loved fishing, woodworking, restoring old
cars and his beloved companion, Charlie the dog.
C. Schoonover and the late Josephine A. Tunis. Don was also
preceded in death by his stepmother, Narka Schoonover; a
grandchild, Sabrina Clark. He is survived by his wife, Betty Vaughn;
his children, Debra Schoonover Fleck (Paul), Steve Schoonover
(Madonna), and Kristi Schoonover (Dail); also the mother of his
children, Yvonne Schoonover; he is also survived by a stepson, Russ
Vaughn; one stepdaughter, Karen Vaughn Burns (Bill); his five
grandchildren, Ryan and Ashley Fleck, Maria Schoonover (Clint
Wagner), Joseph Clark, and Kayla Pride; his four step grandchildren,
Will Burns (Kate), Jack Burns (Melody), Sally Burns, and Tripp Vaughn;
seven great grandchildren, Stetson Wagner, Novia and Luke Clark,
Ethan and Elijah Ridgeway, Eva Winland, and Emily Thomas; one step-
great grandchild Dottie Burns; one brother, Randy Schoonover. Also a
cousin, Peggy Meyer survives.
Don grew up on a farm in southern Illinois. After graduating from
Farmington High School in 1950, he went to work as a machinist for
the Caterpillar Tractor Company in Peoria, IL. In 1952, he then joined
the U.S. Air Force and was stationed at Keesler AFB in Biloxi, MS. Don
served his country with honor until 1955. After his honorable
discharge from the Air Force, he attended the Missouri School of
Mines in Rolla, MO from 1955-58. He graduated with a B.S. in
Mechanical Engineering. He later received his Professional
Engineering license. After Don’s graduation, he started working at
Union Carbide in Paducah, KY as an engineer. From 1962-67, Don had
the opportunity to work at Pratt &Whitney in Jupiter, FL where he
took great pride in assisting with the design of the engine for the Air
Force SR71-Blackbird. In 1967, Don then returned to work with Union
Carbide in Marietta, OH as an engineer and retired from there in 1977.
After retirement, he purchased a farm in Macksburg, OH and became
self-employed as a farmer where he enjoyed getting back to working
with his hands. In 1995, Don was a part-time resident of Fort Myers,
FL where he cared for his aging father. During this time he met and
married Betty Vaughn in 1999, they began their life together in Cape
Coral, FL. They then relocated to McIntosh County, GA in 2002, where
he assisted in the construction of their home and became an active
and dedicated member of his community. He served as the Chairman
of McIntosh County Tax Assessors, Chairman of the Darien United
Methodist Church’s Finance Committee for 5 years, a primary
volunteer for the Old Jail Art Center renovation, and a board member
of Springfield Plantation HOA. Don was known for his outgoing
personality, active lifestyle, caring nature and positive outlook. He
made many friends in many circles throughout his life. Some of the
organizations he was a member of were the Shriners, Elks, American
Legion and the Live Oak Masonic Lodge. He was also an amateur ham
radio operator and a member of the Metter Road Runners camping
group. He had a passion for sailing which prompted him to get his
Captain’s license. He also loved fishing, woodworking, restoring old
cars and his beloved companion, Charlie the dog.
