Donald W. Whitlock
Donald "Don" Wallace Whitlock passed away quietly in his home in Zephyrhills, Florida, on Sunday, January 4, 2015, at 5:20 p.m., surrounded by loved ones. He was 90 years old.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Wallace and Edythe Davenport Whitlock; and his son, Michael Don (1960); wife of 47 years, Donna Jean Dove (1992); and son, Philip Charles (Kimberly Sargent), 2004.
Surviving Donald is his wife of 15 years, Donna B. Johnson-Whitlock of Zephyrhills FL; and his children, Thomas (Nan), Scott (Lucy), Sara Moss (Richard) and Audrey Smith (Bill); and step-children. Also surviving are his grandchildren, Ronn Whitlock, Shawn Whitlock (Amy), Miranda Whitlock Ell (Tom), Margaret Whitlock, Rebecca Moss, Donna Moss, Alex Whitlock, Jamie Smith(Matty Telford) and Daniel Smith; and great-grandchildren, Riley and Nathalie - and many step grandchildren. Don's siblings, Dr. Richard Whitlock (Virginia) and Carol Mochel (Jim Deal) also survive with their children and grandchildren.
Don was born in Chicago on September 14, 1924. His family moved to Downers Grove, when Don was in grade school where he attended Lincoln School and lived in a house on Birch Ave. A 1942 graduate of Downers Grove Community High School, Don played bassoon in the band and lead the band as the Drum Major. He met his wife, Donna Dove, while attending Iowa State University in Ames Iowa. They married on June 16, 1945, and raised their children at the First United Methodist Church in Downers Grove. They lived in houses that Don either added on to or built in Downers Grove, ending up on Linscott Ave where they had many dear, dear friends and wonderful adventures.
Donald worked at General Electric for 5 years, Argonne National Laboratory for 22 1/2 years, the Environmental Protection Agency for around 6 years and as the GSA Building Manager at the Federal Building in Chicago from 1976 to 1986. He also worked as a draftsman on the side in order to make a comfortable life for his family. He retired and moved to Zephyrhills, Florida, in 1986.
He was very active at The First United Methodist Church and the Kiwanis Club, where he received an award for 45 years of perfect attendance in 2005. That's a lot of years of parades and floats, pancake dinners, travelogues and selling peanuts. Don was one of the original members of the Kiwanis Lawn Mower Drill Team which performed in the 4th of July Parades in Downers Grove. He volunteered for Little League and Boy Scouts and was a positive influence on the people he worked with.
Don was an elected commissioner on the Downers Grove Park District Board for a total of 25 years. He received the great honor of having a park named after him, Whitlock Park, in 1989.
Upon his retirement, he continued his involvement with the Kiwanis Club in Zephyrhills, He also was President of the local chapter 390 of NARFE and an AARP volunteer where he helped people prepare their taxes. He volunteered with the Boy Scouts and was an active member of the First Christian Church of Zephyrhills.
Though Donald lost two of his sons, as well as his wife, he never stopped being positive. A very pragmatic man, he was also a very outgoing and funny man and loved to be of use, whether through his community work or fixing up the houses of whomever he was visiting. He loved to sing. He attended his children's concerts and sporting events, helping them to feel loved and important. He was a Very Good Man.
There will be a Celebration of Life Memorial on Saturday January 24, 2015, at 11:00 a.m., at The First Christian Church, 6040 8th Street, Zephyrhills, FL. Luncheon to follow.
In lieu of flowers, we ask that you consider sending a donation to either The Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, Gulfside Hospice or the First Christian Church of Zephyrhills, FL.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
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