Don Clary

Don's favorite quote:

"If something is worth doing, it is worth overdoing."

Don is originally from Decatur, Illinois and graduated from MacArthur High School in 1990. He completed his general studies at Richland Community College and Millikin University, both in Decatur, and graduated from Worsham College of Mortuary Science in 1993.

He practiced as a licensed funeral director and embalmer in Decatur from 1993 to 2001. In 2001, he was recruited to Peoria by Service Corporation International to serve as a Primary Arranger in their Peoria Cluster. In 2005, he resigned from his position to open Clary Funeral Home.

He is a parishioner of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church in Peoria Heights. He is a member of the St. Thomas Men's Club and volunteers for their Annual Golf Outing, Plant Sale and Spring and Fall Garage Sales.

Don is a Third Degree member at the Knights of Columbus Spalding Council #427 in Peoria and has volunteered for their Friday Night Fish Fry, Sunday Night Bingo at the Peoria Community Bingo Center, Heart of Illinois Fair Committee and Illinois State Council Vocations Raffle. He has served as Chancellor of Spalding Council's Board of Officers, Vice President of The Third Degree Club Board of Directors and Warden of the First Degree Exemplification Team. He is also a member of the The St. Patrick Society of Peoria.

He is married to the former Deanna Roach, whose brother, John, was a funeral director in Peoria for over ten years. They have one daughter, Calen Johanna Clary, who was born on September 13th of 2009, at OSF St. Francis Medical Center in Peoria.

Don hopes that this endeavor will help him experience the personal satisfaction, community appreciation and pride in ownership that his mentor, Walter L. Sojka, has received, after owning his own business and serving the families in his community, since 1954, in Chicago, Illinois.

3004 West Lake Avenue

Peoria, Illinois 61615

309-686-0166