Don was born on February 22, 1925 in Barrington, IL and he grew up in Forest Park, IL. He joined the Army Air Corps right out of high school during WWII. He was hired by Eastern on July 16, 1951 and flew for Eastern for more than thirty-three years until his retirement in 1985.
He is survived by two daughters, Cheryl Diener of Wheaton and Cathy Rutter of Elko - New Market, MN and a daughter-in-law, Renee Schumann of Glendale, AZ, seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife, Shirley and son, Donald II as well as a brother and a sister.
Don's services were held on January 17, 2014 at the Hultgren Funeral Home in Wheaton. He is interred at Mt. Emblem Cemetery in Elmhurst, IL.