Sgt. Donald Gene “Don” Caruthers, 85, of Fenton died June 22, 2026, at Mercy Hospital South in St. Louis County. Mr. Caruthers was a veteran of the U.S. Army, where he served honorably and obtained the rank of Sargent. He was a retired furnace operator at the Doe Run Lead Smelter in Herculaneum and a member of Rose of Sharon Full Gospel Church in De Soto. He will be remembered as a loving family member and friend. Born Feb. 15, 1941, in Butler County, he was the son of the late Lucille Helen (Bishop) and Carlos Basil Caruthers.
He was preceded in death by his wife: Ida Jeanette (Kennedy) Caruthers.
He is survived by four children: Missy (Mike) Coppedge of Hernando, Miss., Denise (Rob) Tidwell of Bonne Terre, Donnie Caruthers of St. Louis and Karen (Gino) West of Fenton; a brother: Verlin Caruthers of Potosi; nine grandchildren: Felicia (Matt) Godier, Michael (Savanah) Coppedge, Justin Caruthers, Jordan Caruthers, April (Corey) McKeen, Chelcie (Brandon) Taylor, Lindsey (Stacy) Tomlinson, Robbie (Mickey) Tidwell and Eithen Whitter; 17 great-grandchildren; and close friends: Don and Jean Tidwell of De Soto and Tylor Nunez of St. Louis.
He also was preceded in death by two brothers: Jack (the late Betty) Caruthers and Lynn Caruthers; and great-grandbaby Godier.
Visitation is scheduled from 9 a.m. until funeral services at 11 a.m. Tuesday, July 7, at Vinyard Funeral Home, 616 W. Main St., in Festus, officiated by Pastor Carl J. Mckalip. Interment with full military honors will be in the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Memorials may be made to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kan., 66675. Arrangements are under the direction of Vinyard Funeral Home.