Donald L. Hastings, Jr., age 61, of Edwardsville, died at 7:15 a.m. Saturday, June 1, 2013, at Relais Bonne Eau Hospice Home in Edwardsville. He was born May 30, 1952 in Alton, IL, the son of Donald L. and Harriet (Zoleman) Hastings, Sr. of Edwardsville. Besides his parents, he is also survived by two children: Cameron (Jennifer) Hastings of Edwardsville, and Alexis (Rennie) Mead of St. Louis; three grandchildren: Rowan, Finnian, and Auden Mead; his significant other, Kathryn Hymel of Edwardsville; Two step-sons: Rick Solomen of Springfiled, IL and Christian (Jamie) Luetkemeyer of Troy; two step-grandchildren: Avan and Cade Luetkemeyer; seven brothers and sisters: Doug (Katie) Hastings of Edwardsville, Kathleen (Kevin) Walker of Colorado Springs, CO, Pamela (Lawrence) Perlmutter of Edwardsville, Elizabeth (Theodore) Petersen of St. Louis, Celeste (Gregg) Korte of Edwardsville, Kimberly (Brett) Wolff of Town and Couyntry, MO, and Jennifer Moehlmann of Nolansville, TN.

Mr. Hastings was a Historical Researcher for the state of Illinois. He was part of the advocacy group which secured the area for the Lewis and Clark Historical site in Hartford, IL. He was active with the Regional Commerce and Growth Association (RCGA) and the Family Advocate for the Center of Comprehensive Services in Carbondale. He was a member of the Lewis and Clark Historical Society, of which he was President from 2004-2006 and a member since the early 1990s. He was also a democratic Precinct 4 Committeeman in Madison County. Mr. Hastings was a US Army veteran and has the distinction of being the first Student Trustee of Southern Illinois University.

A memorial mass is pending.