Donald A. “Duck” Toennies
- Visitation Dates and Times
Wednesday March 4, 2026 from 4:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Thursday March 5, 2026 from 9:00 - 10:45 a.m.
- Visitation Location
Moss Funeral Home ~ Breese
- Service Date
Thursday, March 5, 2026
- Service Time
11:00 a.m.
- Service Location
St. Dominic Catholic Church ~ Breese
- Full Obituary
Donald A. “Duck” Toennies, age 88, of Breese, passed away Tuesday, February 24, 2026, at Trenton Village. He was born December 2, 1937, in Trenton, a son of the late Anthony “Tony” and Clara (nee Olliges) Toennies.
Duck married Lois Toennies (nee Hemann) on September 13, 1960, at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, and she preceded him in death on June 8, 2024. In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by his son, Donnie Toennies; brothers, Paul Toennies and Bernard “Beans” Toennies; and sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, Alice Toennies, Alice (Ervin) Junker, Donald Hemann, Ralph Hemann, and Edward “Badge” Dumstorff.
He is survived by his children, Brian (Theresa) Toennies of St. Augustine, FL, Karen (Dan) Wieter of Breese, Tammy (Richard) Launer of Edwardsville, and Bart (Marianna) Toennies of Centralia; grandchildren, Matthew (friend, Tiffany Stewart) Toennies, Joseph Gutasso, Richard (Sara) Gutasso, Justin (Sasha) Eilers, Nathan Eilers, Nicholas Eilers, Tanya (Greg) Detmer, Shane (Katrina) Wieter, Jacob Parent, Zachary (friend, Karina) Parent, Travis Launer, Justin (friend, Bree) Launer, Brady Toennies, Trent (fiancée, Kylie Jones) Toennies, and Deven (Emily) Toennies; great-grandchildren, Desirea Toennies, Alex and Alexis Gutusso, Mia, Bash, and Willow Eilers, Codyn, Cambri, and Cali Eilers, Cooper Eilers, Connor Detmer, Maddison Lewis, Mackenzie, Mackayla, Mackenna, Bryce, and Bianca Wieter, Nolan and Easton Parent, and Brylee and Avery Toennies; siblings, Adrian (Trudy) Toennies of Trenton, Leonard (Georgia) Toennies of Albers, Glennon (Kathy) Toennies of Aviston, Jim (Marlene) Toennies of Bartelso, Leroy (Mary) Toennies of Bartelso, Mary Ellen Dumstorff of Breese, Pete (Jackie) Toennies of Damiansville, and Anthony “Butch” (Nancy) Toennies of Damiansville; sisters-in-law, Diane Toennies of Bartelso and Sharon (Denver) Hoelscher of Breese; along with numerous nieces and nephews.
Duck proudly served his country as a veteran of the United States Army National Guard. Following his service, he worked for Hunter Packing Company in East St. Louis until retirement and later drove truck for Kuhl Lumber and Wilke Truck Service. He was a faithful member of St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese, where he served for many years as the cemetery sexton of St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery. A man devoted to his community, Duck was an active member of the Breese Knights of Columbus Council 2869, serving as past Grand Knight; the Breese Jaycees, where he served as past president; and the HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital Auxiliary. He also volunteered his time with the Illinois Civil Defense Agency, the Clinton County Zoning Administration, and faithfully served the City of Breese as an alderman for twenty-seven years.
Duck enjoyed life’s simple pleasures—watching baseball, golfing, fishing, hunting, camping, boating, gardening, caring for his yard, and enjoying an ice-cold Stag—but above all he loved traveling. His adventurous spirit took him to all fifty states and throughout much of Canada and Europe, experiences he treasured and often shared through stories with family and friends.
A Memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, March 5, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Dominic Catholic Church in Breese with Fr. James Nall presiding. Interment with full military honors will follow at St. Dominic/St. Augustine Cemetery, Breese.
Visitation will be Wednesday, March 4, 2026, from 4:00–8:00 p.m. and again Thursday, March 5, 2026, from 9:00–10:45 a.m. at Moss Funeral Home in Breese.
In lieu of flowers, plants, and other gifts, memorials may be made to Mater Dei Catholic High School or St. Dominic Parish and will be received at the visitation or by mail at Moss Funeral Home, 535 N 5th St., Breese, IL 62230, which is serving the family.
Expressions of sympathy can be sent to the family at www.mossfuneralhome.com
