Donald Clear Obituary

Donald Clear, 71, long-time resident and business leader of Downers Grove, left to be with the Lord on Sat., July 11 2009. Born in Hoxie, KS, he and his family moved to Lisle, IL when he was very young. Don was 12 when he started working in his dad's auto repair shop. His adult working career began in 1953 as a bagger & stock clerk with National Tea Co., a large grocery chain. Quickly promoted to management, Don becoming the company's youngest Store Manager at the age of twenty. In 1958, Don married his high school sweetheart, Joan Gregor. They raised two daughters in the Brookridge subdivision of Downers Grove. Don served in the Army Reserve & received an Honorable Discharge in 1963 after earning the rank of Sergeant First Class. In 1969 Don was named National Tea's Store Manager of the Year, first for the Chicago area and then the nation. In the early 1970's, Don completed Management classes at Illinois Benedectine College and Cornell University. Don ended his tenure in 1975 as National Tea's Midwest Division Regional Vice President. In 1976, Don started Donino's Family Foods, an independent grocery chain with stores in Lisle, Westmont, Aurora & Willowbrook. He served on the Westmont Chamber of Commerce for many years. Don retired from Donino's in 1985 and spent time traveling with Joan. Don's career as a commercial Real Estate Broker began in 1987 in Illinois and continued until his death. In 1997, Don and Joan fulfilled a lifelong dream and moved from Downers Grove to Broadwater, a waterfront community in St. Petersburg, FL. Don's passion was his family, friends, boating and cruising. He was happiest when near, in or on the water! Don was a member of the Pass-A-Grille Yacht Club & board member of the Broadwater Civic Association. Don was a devoted husband, father, uncle, brother and son. One of his greatest joys was being "Poppa" to his grandchildren and their friends. Don was an exceptionally loving & principled man who faced many serious health challenges with uncommon humor, determination and a strong will. He fought very hard to stay with his family, giving them many more years than they dared hope. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Alva & Dorothy Clear; sister Donna Reinbacher Parker; sister-in-law Lynn Brauer; brother-in-law Bernie Siewak; niece Sue Marker & nephew Bernie Siewak Jr. Don is survived by Joan Clear, his beloved wife of 51 years; sister & brother-in-law Anna & Joe Ciesieski of Angola, IN; sister Mickee Siewak of Sedona, AZ; daughters Cassandra Holt and Kristin Bercume; sons-in-law Gary Bercume and Bob Holt; Gary & Heather Bercume Jr.; grandchildren Corbin & Shelby Bercume; Sierra & Sammi Holt; Trevor, Cheyenne & Colton Bercume Jr. all of St. Petersburg; nieces and nephews Wayne Ciesielski (AZ), Michael Siewak (FL), Karen Yrabedra (AZ), Patrick Siewak (FL), Rusty Barlow (PA), Cindy Rhodes (IL), Jeff Reinbacher (IL) & Angel McClain (FL). To honor Don, the family suggests Mass cards or donations to the American Lung Association. Please visit Don's Wall of Remembrance at the American Lung Association. Link: http://www.lungusa.org/siteapps/personalpage/ShowPage.aspx?c=hkLUI4OXH&b=40292&sid=hjISL4OJLaJMI5MULwH