An Alton couple who were honored for their love of gardening and grandchildren who were killed by a guy who escaped from police in St. Louis last week were remembered for their deceased.
At the crossroads of Illinois 143 and 3, George Julian, 66, and Donna Julian, 68, were both killed when a car that was attempting to elude the police crashed into them.
On Monday, Miko D. Martin, who is 29 years old and lives in St. Louis, was officially charged with various offenses, including two charges of first-degree murder.
Those who are left behind include the couple’s children and wives, Mark (Denise) Briggs of East Alton and Tana (Luke) Alexander of Godfrey; grandchildren Jordan (Conner) Briggs and Aidan Briggs; and a great-granddaughter named Scottie Briggs. Additionally, the pair is survived by their siblings and other relatives.
Bethalto school was a place where Donna Julian was remembered as a loving and joyous presence.
After working at Zion Lutheran School in Bethalto for a number of years, Jeanne Schultz, a preschool teacher at the school, referred to Donna Julian as a “amazing person.”
The statement that she made was that “She was one of the most genuinely caring people I’ve ever met.” In addition to being the most cheerful person, she was always looking out for the best interests of other people.
The term “go-getter” was used by Schultz to characterize Donna Julian.
The statement that Schultz made was that “She was always the one who was doing stuff behind the scenes.” “She was like a resident grandma; whenever the children required something, she was right there to provide it for them.”
Before starting his job at the school, Julian had been employed at the Thalma Terrace facility in Wood River, where he worked with adults who had special needs.
Gardening and spending time with their grandchildren were two activities that she and her husband, George, liked doing together.
Service to others and a passion for hobbies are what George Julian is recognized for.
Over the course of more than three decades, George Julian worked as an operator for the Collinsville Water Department. He will retire in the year 2021. Furthermore, he worked independently at Tri County Lab, where he manufactured dentures.
Michel Crawford, who is the main operator at the Collinsville Water Department, stated that he had worked with him for a period stretching four years. This man had a great sense of humor. It was clear that he meant what he said, and he stuck to his word.
Adding, “We had a pet fish that he took care of,” he went on to say. The fish was a solitary specimen kept in a tank. There was a fish that we had at the water plant, but he never even bothered to give it a name. There was a tropical fish of some kind in the water.”
George took pleasure in a variety of activities, including but not limited to riding dirt motorcycles at Splinter Creek, repairing lawn mowers and dirt bikes, gardening, rearing tropical fish, and barbecuing with his family.
His birthday is March 24th, 1959, and he was born in Sikeston, Missouri. The late John E. Julian and Nellie M. (Peters) Julian were George’s parents. George was their son. His brother Jeff Julian of Godfrey and his brother Barry Julian of Edwardsville are the only ones who will remember him.
Within the city of Staunton, Illinois, Donna Julian was born on November 9th, 1956. At the time of her passing, she was the daughter of Edward A. Hutchins and Ida M. (Mehlbnerg) Hutchins. Donna is survived by her siblings Gary Smith of Staunton, Larry Smith of Staunton, and Sharon Smith-Schwab of White City, Illinois. Additionally, Donna is survived by her parents.
On the 14th of February in the year 2000, George and Donna tied the knot in Edwardsville.
For both George and Donna Julian, a Celebration of Life visitation will be held on Thursday, July 10, from four to seven o’clock in the evening at St. Paul Lutheran Church, which is located at 1327 Vaughn Road in Wood River.
On Friday, July 11, at ten o’clock in the morning, funeral services will be held at the church, with Pastor David Schultz serving as the officiant. Finally, the burial will take place at the Memorial Park Cemetery in Staunton.
