Allen Don McDermott

Allen Don McDermott was born April 19, 1942, in Cave In Rock, Illinois, and at the age of 84, he passed from this life on October 11, 2026, at Deaconess Hospital, in Evansville, Indiana.

Allen Don joined the U.S. Navy at 17 years old and trained to be a boilermaker. He served aboard the USS Forrestal, and he often told stories of the ports he visited around the world. Some of his favorite travels included Hawaii, crossing through the Panama Canal, Cuba, Italy, and many more. He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1963, and he worked in several professions before becoming an iron worker, which gave him more opportunities to travel across the United States. He later returned to his hometown, Cave In Rock, where he worked for Hastie Mining until he became disabled.

Allen Don had many interests and hobbies. He grew up hunting and fishing with family and friends. He continued to enjoy fishing throughout his life. He had the ability to remember all kinds of facts and was excellent at trivia games. Watching Jeopardy and knowing the questions for most of the clues was part of his daily routine. Allen Don enjoyed watching drag racing and all levels of football. He loved the Kansas City Chiefs and the San Francisco 49ers.

He was preceded in death by his mother Hazel Colbert, his father Wes McDermott, his sister Rita Peyton, Granny Hazel and Daddy Barnard Kaegi, his father and mother in law, Clyde and Altha Hohimer, brothers in law: Gene, Leo, and Doug Hohimer, and sister in law Alice Davis.

Allen Don is survived by his beloved wife, Wanda Lou McDermott. They spent 37 years together, and they were married at Cave In Rock State Park on September 2, 2018. Also surviving are his nieces, Kelly (Rick Wilson), Robin (Eric) Edmister, Erin (Dan) Silanskis; his sisters in law Barbara (Leo) Hohimer, Wilma (Gene) Hohimer, and Charlotte (Mike) Pritchett; one brother in law, Tom Hohimer; his special friend Nancy Nelson, and more cousins, extended family and friends.

A graveside service will be held on Sunday October 25, 2026, 2:00 p.m., at Cave Hill Cemetery.