Donald Robert "Smiley" Kearns

Donald Robert Kearns, affectionately known as “Smiley,” age 92, of St. Louis, MO, born Nov. 1, 1932, in East St. Louis, IL, died Thursday, Dec. 12th, 2024 at Friendship Village, Sunset Hills, Missouri. 

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Dorothy Kearns; his children, Kathleen Ann Kearns, David Alan Kearns, and John Donald Kearns; his sister, Mary Ann Mackin; his four grandchildren, Amanda (Zach) Turner, Michael Bell (Fiancee Becky Brooks), Jessica Kearns (Fiance Rob Morrow), Adam Kearns; and his great-grandson, Declan Turner.

Donald was preceded in death by his brothers, Thomas M. Kearns, Jr. and James P. Kearns, and his parents, Thomas and Florence, nee Reagan, Kearns, Sr..

Donald’s family was of utmost importance to him, and he enthusiastically blessed their lives by displaying a silly sense of humor, a strong work ethic, and a kind heart.

He loved boating, snow skiing, and working with stained glass, for which he won several ribbons and awards. He was an avid gardener, especially with cactus, and he was an all-around tinkerer who enjoyed working on anything mechanical, including several inventions of his own design.

Donald was a graduate of Central Catholic High School in East St. Louis, IL. In 1952, he enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served overseas in Europe as an Airmen First Class in the 11th Radio Relay Squadron, where he helped maintain radio towers and equipment throughout Germany, Luxembourg, and France.

In 1956, he returned to civilian life in East St. Louis, Illinois, where he found work at Emerson, Monsanto, Edwin Cooper, and eventually the Ethyl corporation, where he worked as a supervisor in their engine lab until retiring in 1995.

 A visitation will be held from 4pm - 8pm on Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 at John L. Ziegenhein Funeral Home - South County, 4830 Lemay Ferry Road, St. Louis, MO 63129.

 A funeral will be held at the same location on Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2024 at 10:30am, followed by a burial in Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.

 Memorials may be made to the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation and the Friendship Village STL Friendship Foundation.