Harry Don Wirth

     Harry Don Wirth, a proud United States Air Force Veteran, passed from this life on April 14, 2026, at the age of 82 at the Carbondale Memorial Hospital surrounded by his family. Born on July 21, 1943, in Harrisburg, Illinois. Harry was the son of Harry Elmer and Donna (Mofield) Wirth.

     After graduating from Harrisburg High School, he attended and graduated from the University of Illinois and then answered the call to duty and was commissioned as an Lieutenant in the United States Air Force where he attained the rank of Captain. He served with honor during the Vietnam War, a period of his life that instilled a lifelong dedication to service and patriotism.

     Following his military service, Harry worked in positions of increasing responsibility at Southern Illinois University Carbondale (SIUC) where he retired as the Director of Plant and Service Operations. During a sabbatical from SIUC, Harry served as the Assistant Director, of the Illinois Department of Conservation (IDNR). Beyond his professional life, Harry was a man of the outdoors, a fisherman and avid hunter who found peace in the woods and cherished his time spent deer, turkey, elk and duck hunting throughout the United States but particularly in Southern Illinois. He was also a loyal and vocal supporter of Southern Illinois University athletics, rarely missing a chance to watch the Salukis play basketball, football, and softball. He was a faithful Christian with a strong lifelong relationship with the Lord.

     He is survived by his beloved wife of 39 years, Susan Jeanne (Strange) Wirth; daughter Donna “Wicki” Mott and her husband Joey; grandson, Zack Mott and his wife Laura, granddaughters Natasha and Courtney Mott, great-granddaughter, Elizabeth Rose Mott, several nieces and nephews, and his beloved dogs, Dickens and Katie Q. He was preceded in death by his parents, his paternal grandparents Harry Rupert and Florence (Crow) Wirth and his maternal grandparents, Don and Minnie (Neely) Mofield.

     Private graveside services will be held at Mound City National Cemetery with full military honors at a future date. Donations may be made in Harry’s memory to the Tunnel to Towers Foundation. You can donate directly from the funeral home website or mail contributions to Tunnel to Towers Foundation at 2361 Hylan Blvd, Staten Island, NY 10306.