Donald Held

B. Donald Held, 98, of Ransom passed away Tuesday, May 12, 2026 at the Arc of Streator, surrounded by his family.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026 at 12:00 P.M. at the Hagi & Schultz Funeral Home, Streator. Pallbearers will be his grandchildren, nephews, Larry & Bob Held and a family friend, Andrew Talty. Burial will follow in Allen Township Cemetery, Ransom. Visitation will be held from 10:00 A.M. to 12:00 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home.

Don was born April 15, 1928 to Benjamin C. and Esther (Geheber) Held, at home, on the farm in Ransom. He married Sylvia A. Berta on April 2, 1960 in Streator. She preceded him in death on October 6, 2025.

He is survived by his children, Julie Navejar of Kingsville, TX, Kathy (Tim) Armstrong of Ransom, David Held of Ransom, and Karla (Krista Ridder) Held of Bloomington; five grandchildren, Ashley (Michael) Martinez-King, Matthew and Ryan Armstrong, Jonathan Soucie, and Ian Seger-Held; and two great grandchildren, Katie Soucie and Michael Ray King. Also surviving are a sister, Joyce Riss and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Sylvia; a brother, Glenn; a sister-in-law; a brother-in-law; and a nephew.

Don was a Veteran of the United States Army, having served in the Korean War, earning a Korean Service Medal with a Bronze Star, as well as a United States Service Medal.

He was a member of the United Methodist Church in Ransom, the American Legion, and the Streator YMCA. He sang in the church choir, belonged to the Y’s Men’s Club at the YMCA and was a former Sexton of the Allen Township Cemetery in Ransom.

Farming his entire life, Donald also loved riding his motorcycle, listening to country bluegrass music with his wife Sylvia and was an avid swimmer and water skier over the years.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ransom United Methodist Church.