Donald J. MarasPEORIA - Donald J. Maras, 87, of Peoria passed away early Saturday morning, December 10, 2016, at UnityPoint Health-Proctor.Don was born on February 26, 1929, in Peoria to Andy and Bertie (Noll) Maras. He married Shirley Neeley on April 25, 1953, in St John's Catholic Church in Peoria, and they lived in West Peoria for many years. She preceded him in death on April 5, 2010.He is survived by his daughter, Julie Maras of Peoria; and son, Todd (Dianne Martin) of Georgetown, Texas.Don started working in the shipping department at Hiram Walker and Sons in 1947 after graduating from Manual Training HS and remained at Walkers' until it closed in 1981. His children remember that he only missed work on 2 occasions, once when he had a bout with double vision and once with debilitating back pain shortly before he retired. He worked as a starter at Madison and Northmoor golf courses from 1982 to 1993. Don was a veteran of the Korean Conflict, serving in the army overseas from 1950 to 1952.He was afflicted with a rare lung/liver disease and ultimately required a liver transplant at the Mayo clinic in 1994. He bore this and all of the medical problems he accumulated over the years with characteristic stoicism and he retained his essential good nature to the end.Don was an avid sports fan who outlived three bookies. He was a lifelong follower of the Dodgers and took great pleasure in antagonizing Cardinal fans such as his son and the Cardinal and Cub fans with whom he drank coffee at Dunkin Donuts in West Peoria.Don was a member of St. Ann's (formerly St Boniface) Parish and served as an usher there for many years. He was also a member of West Peoria Lions Club.His children wish to thank the staff at Independence Village; the nurses and CNAs at both Home Care Plus and Unity Point Proctor; and Dr. Robert Lizer for the excellent care they provided in the last years of his life.A funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Don Roszkowski at St Ann's on Thursday, December 15, at 11 a.m. Visitation will be from 10 to 10:45 a.m. Cremation rites will be accorded following the services. Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel is in charge of arrangements. He will be buried with his wife in St Joseph's cemetery on Heading Avenue, the street they lived on in West Peoria.In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Gift of Life Transplant House in Rochester MN, http://gift-of-life.org/donation/. Please view Don's obituary online at www.Davison-FultonWoodlandChapel.com.