Donald W. Jillson

Donald Jillson, loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and friend went to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on September 23, 2017 at the age of 89.  He was born in 1928 in New Jersey to his loving parents Walter and Betty, the older brother to sisters Carol and Katherine.  Don graduated from high school and went on to Brown University to study engineering.  His college education was interrupted by the Korean War.  In 1950, Don served for four years in the United States Air Force.  He was stationed in Korea for almost a year.  During this time, Don accepted Jesus Christ as His Lord and Savior.  Upon the conclusion of his enlistment, he enrolled in Barrington College as a freshman.  There he met his future wife Christal from Germany, and together they participated in Barrington’s choir.  He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Bible and Theology.  After graduation, Don began his career as a county probation officer and married Christal. For the next 35 years Don served in the probation department as both an officer and the Assistant Chief.  In addition, Don faithfully served for more than 50 years at First Baptist Church as a deacon, usher, Sunday School superintendent and teacher of the Men’s Class before relocating to Maryland in 2014 to be near their children.  Each summer, they enjoyed camping and sailing their Sunfish in the Adirondacks in upstate New York.  They also spent a week at the Jersey Shore with their children and grandchildren. Once retired, Don and Christal traveled every other year to Germany to visit Christal’s family. After almost 58 years of marriage, Don lost his precious wife Christal on March 10, 2017.  Don is also preceded in death by his parents and sister Carol.  He is survived by his sister Katherine, children Elizabeth, Katherine and Donald, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.