Ilion Donald V. Pearson, 80 of Ilion, passed away peacefully on Thursday December 22, 2011 at Mohawk Valley Health Care in Ilion. Don was born on May 10, 1931 in Binghamton the son of the Late Carl and Marie (Leach) Pearson, he was a graduate of Ilion Schools. On August 9, 1952 Don married the former Shirley Steiner in Ilion. Don served in the US Navy during the Korean Conflict. Following his service he joined the NY State Police, retiring as Sr. Investigator. Don was then employed as Security Supervisor at Remington Arms for 12years until becoming the Village of Ilion Justice for 20 years. Don was a member of the Ilion United Methodist Church and the American Legion. Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Shirley; two sons Douglas and his wife Ruth of Ilion and Dale of Utica; a daughter Cynthia and her husband David Garrett of Barneveld; his grandchildren Danielle, Nathan, Kalynn, Amanda and Jessica and a great grandchild Althea; brother in law Warren and his wife Delores Steiner of Mohawk; nieces Barbara and her husband Kevin Davis of Scotland, Judith Hendrix of Jacksonville, NC, Patricia Hendrix and Dennis Wright of Ilion, Diane and her husband Talbot Bala of Herkimer and Ida and her husband Chad Dickinson of Okinawa. He was predeceased by his sisters Audrey Hendrix and Arlene Pearson. Funeral services for Don will be held on Monday December 26, 2011 at 6pm at the Whiter-Hendrix Funeral Home Inc. 100 Otsego St. in Ilion. Rev. Robert Wollaber will officiate. Interment will be in the Armory Hill Cemetery, at a later date. Friends may call on Monday December 26, 2011 from 3pm until the time of the funeral. Don's family wish to thank the 2nd and 4th floor staff at Mohawk Valley Health Care, the 6th floor staff at Faxton-St. Luke's Hospital and the Ilion Ambulance for the care given Don during his illness. Friends are asked to consider memorial contributions to either the Ilion Ambulance fund or the NYSP Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. On line condolences may be sent by going to www.whiter-hendrix.com.