MULKEYTOWN -- Donald "Kenny" Earnheart, 58, died Tuesday, March 4, 2014, in St. Anthony Hospital in St. Louis. His death was caused by a tragedy. Kenny was driving his semi when his heart started racing. He was smart enough to pull off the road and call 911. If he had kept driving he could have caused a wreck resulting in people being killed. In the words of his family, "In my book he is a hero, he's now in heaven with the Lord and his family." He was a truck driver for Southern Illinois Motor Express for 14 years. Kenny was a U.S. Army veteran. He was born Jan. 17, 1956, in Christopher, to William Koonce of Du Quoin and and Ruby (Furlow) Koonce. His mother preceded him in death. He was married to the love of his life, Laura (Mezo) Furlow on Nov. 18, 1976, and she survives in Mulkeytown. Survivors include children, Chasity Earnheart and friend, Martin Meir, of Mulkeytown; grandchildren, Kenneth Charles Menard and Andrew Menard of Mulkeytown; brothers and sisters, Debbie and Frank Green, Kevin Earnheart, Sherry and Bill Stroud, Billy Koonce, and Nancy and Virgil Mathis, all of Du Quoin, Brent Koonce of Indiana, Lisa and John Hill of Willisville, Tracy Koonce and Tara and Keith Pyron, all of Du Quoin, and Gary Earnheart of Michigan. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother; granddaughter, Kahlie Menard; grandparents; and several in-laws. Services will be at 11 a.m. today, March 7, in Gilbert Funeral Home in Christopher. Internment will be in Mulkeytown Cemetery. Visitation was Thursday at the funeral home. Kenny was a very loving and caring husband and father. For more information, visit gilbertfuneralhomes.com. Published in The Southern Illinoisan on Mar. 7, 2014