Donald L. Kilgore, lovingly known as “Sonny” by his family, 83, of Pontiac, Illinois passed away Wednesday, February 9, 2022 at 11:14 a.m. at his home. A Memorial Visitation was held Saturday, February 12, 2022 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Duffy – Baier – Snedecor Funeral Home in Pontiac. Burial will be in Memorial Park Cemetery at a later date. Duffy – Baier – Snedecor Funeral Home, Pontiac, is in charge of arrangements. Sonny was born August 19, 1938 in Sturgis, Kentucky to Carl and Dorothy (Gibbons) Kilgore and grew up and attended school in Sturgis. He married Patricia Mills. He later married Elaine Monferdini Jones on August 15, 1975. He is survived by his daughters:  Soni (Dan) Aeschleman of Roanoke, Illinois; Kimberly (Tim Dvorak) Van Buren of Lewisville, Texas; and Christina (Ron) Craw of Sargent, Texas; son, Don (Laura) Kilgore of Pontiac, Illinois; and step-son, Donnie (Linda) Jones of Odell, Illinois. Also surviving are his siblings: Carlene Nall of Henderson, Kentucky; Bonnie (Gerald) Hunter of Morgan-field, Kentucky; Ronnie (Marnel) Kilgore of Sebree, Kentucky; and Randy (Kelly) Kilgore and Gayle Bennett, both of Henderson, Kentucky; brothers-in-law: Joe Grant of Braidwood, Illinois; Joe (Linda) Nugent of Wilmington, Illinois; and Bob (Kay) Nugent of Pontiac, Illinois. Grandchildren: Scott (Anne) Arnold, Jill Arnold, Tiffany (Courtland) Davis, Ashley (Nick) Hadsall, Trey Van Buren, Adam (Sammie) Van Buren, Megan Upchurch, Sara Cannon, Austin (Kieley) Kilgore, Brent Kilgore, Dylan (Kirbi) Jones, Lydia Jones, Jenny, Patrick and Tasha; many great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews survive. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Elaine; stepson, Raymond Jones; step-grandson, Brandon Jones; sister – in – law, Kay Nugent; and great – grandson, Evan Weinzierl. Sonny enlisted in the United States Army in 1958. He was stationed at Fort Lewis in Washington, and remained in the reserves until 1964. He relocated to Illinois after his service and began his career with Caterpillar in Joliet in various roles including Quality Control until his retirement in 1989. Sonny was a kind, fun-loving dad. He enjoyed spending time with his grandkids, boating, fishing, and the special friendships made through his VFW family. In the past, he had raced street stock cars at the Morris and Mazon racetracks. Memorials may be made to the Morris VFW Post 6049, 309 McKinley Street, Morris, Illinois 60450. Online condolences may be made to the family at: duffyfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.