Obituaries
Obituary for Donald C. Courson
Peoria- The Honorable Donald Clair Courson, age 72, of Peoria, died at 3:40 PM on Friday, August 5, 2016 at Methodist Hospital, surrounded by his family.
He leaves his wife of 45 years, Mary Lou/Luke (Altenburg); daughter, Katie (Lucas Kimball) Courson; daughter Maggie Courson; granddaughter Beatrix, whom he loved more than anything; and many great friends.
Don was born in Jeannette, PA on February 18, 1944, to the late Franklin Clair and Cora (Stough) Courson. He moved to LaGrange, IL at the age of 5, where he spent his childhood. Don returned to Pennsylvania every year to visit family and ride the rollercoaster at Idlewild. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL in 1962 and from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN in 1967. Don received his law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL and was admitted to the bar in 1970. Out of law school, he took a job working for Legal Aid in Waukegan, IL for two years.
In 1972 Don and his wife moved to Peoria County and started the law firm of Cordis and Courson in Princeville, IL. In 1975 he left private practice and took a job as Assistant State’s Attorney in Peoria County. Thereafter, he took a job as an Assistant Public Defender in Peoria County. Don was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in 1979. He was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1982 and subsequently elected as a full Circuit Judge in 1984, where he served as Chief Judge from 1990-1994.
Don retired on November 30, 2001 and was a mediator of commercial disputes during his retirement and served on the committee for the Center for the Prevention of Abuse for 12 years, where he was Volunteer of the Year in 2009. An avid, lifelong golfer, he was a member of Lacon County Club. Don loved traveling to Massachusetts to visit his granddaughter and vacationing on Cape Cod with all of his family. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all.
Cremation rights have been accorded, and visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 between the hours of 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. A Memorial Service will take place on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 11:00 am at Wright & Salmon Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Donald’s memory may be made to Center for Prevention of Abuse or a charity of the donor’s choosing.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
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He leaves his wife of 45 years, Mary Lou/Luke (Altenburg); daughter, Katie (Lucas Kimball) Courson; daughter Maggie Courson; granddaughter Beatrix, whom he loved more than anything; and many great friends.
Don was born in Jeannette, PA on February 18, 1944, to the late Franklin Clair and Cora (Stough) Courson. He moved to LaGrange, IL at the age of 5, where he spent his childhood. Don returned to Pennsylvania every year to visit family and ride the rollercoaster at Idlewild. He graduated from Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, IL in 1962 and from the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN in 1967. Don received his law degree from John Marshall Law School in Chicago, IL and was admitted to the bar in 1970. Out of law school, he took a job working for Legal Aid in Waukegan, IL for two years.
In 1972 Don and his wife moved to Peoria County and started the law firm of Cordis and Courson in Princeville, IL. In 1975 he left private practice and took a job as Assistant State’s Attorney in Peoria County. Thereafter, he took a job as an Assistant Public Defender in Peoria County. Don was appointed as an Associate Judge of the Tenth Judicial Circuit in 1979. He was appointed a Circuit Judge in 1982 and subsequently elected as a full Circuit Judge in 1984, where he served as Chief Judge from 1990-1994.
Don retired on November 30, 2001 and was a mediator of commercial disputes during his retirement and served on the committee for the Center for the Prevention of Abuse for 12 years, where he was Volunteer of the Year in 2009. An avid, lifelong golfer, he was a member of Lacon County Club. Don loved traveling to Massachusetts to visit his granddaughter and vacationing on Cape Cod with all of his family. He was dearly loved and will be missed by all.
Cremation rights have been accorded, and visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 9, 2016 between the hours of 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at Wright & Salmon Mortuary. A Memorial Service will take place on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 at 11:00 am at Wright & Salmon Mortuary.
In lieu of flowers memorials in Donald’s memory may be made to Center for Prevention of Abuse or a charity of the donor’s choosing.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences by logging onto www.wrightandsalmon.com.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
9
Aug
4:00 PM
- 7:00 PM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Memorial Service
Wednesday
10
Aug
11:00 AM
Wright & Salmon Mortuary
2416 N North St
Peoria, IL 61604
Memorial Contribution
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