Donald Peter Weingart

Donald Peter Weingart

Born: March 23, 1923; in McHenry, IL

Died: July 13, 2017; in Crystal Lake, IL

Donald Peter Weingart, age 94, of McHenry, passed away on Thursday, July 13, 2017 at The Springs in Crystal Lake, IL.

He was born March 23, 1923, the son of Frank and Katherine (Laures) Weingart, and grew up and lived his entire life in McHenry. On October 5, 1946 he married the love of his life, Rose Mary Selzer, at St. Thomas Catholic Church in Crystal Lake, and they celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary last October.

Don was quite active in the McHenry community his entire life. He graduated from St. Mary's Grade School in 1937 and McHenry High School in 1941, and received a medical discharge from military service in World War II, but did work in the War Factory in Huntley, building grenades and working on the loading dock. After working in a beverage delivery business that serviced the Northern Illinois region, he took employment with McGee's Men Store on Green Street. After a few years of fitting and dressing the local men, he migrated next door to Carey Appliance, where he ultimately became a co-owner until his retirement in 1995. Don was invited to join the McHenry Rotary Club in November of 1963, and he served as its President, along with other officer positions, for over 53 years until his death. Rotary was his passion, and his "alleged" perfect attendance reflected such. He thoroughly enjoyed working on community projects, particularly the Annual Rotary Ham Dinner that he was instrumental in organizing for many years. Don also served on the McHenry School Board for 9 years, was Parade Marshall for Fiesta Days and was awarded the "Keys" to the City of McHenry for his service to the community.

In addition to his involvement in community affairs, Don loved his bowling and golf leagues, and participated until he could no longer. Some of his other pastimes included embarrassing his children as one of the "local" Andrew Sisters who performed at various events, and many years of card clubs and trips to Northern Wisconsin with his family and friends. His biggest pleasures, however, involved his family. These included multiple sporting events involving his children and grandchildren, but primarily family get-togethers involving dinners that always commenced with his own formulated, and quite renowned, "Old Fashion" to get things started. Don's spouse, Rose Mary, passed away earlier this year at 92.

He is survived by their children, Alan (Mary) Weingart of Excelsior, MN, Karen (the late David) Diedrich of McHenry and Jane (Brad) Hertel of McHenry. Surviving grandchildren include Andrew (Katelynn) Weingart, Nathan Weingart, Sarah (James) Frank, Todd (Caitlin) Diedrich, Kathleen Diedrich, Emily (Brad) Voss and Erik Hertel; along with their great-grandchild, Blake Diedrich.

Besides his spouse, he was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Louise (Stanley) Schaefer and Evelyn (Edmund) Skoney; along with his son-in-law, David S. Diedrich.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, July 16, 2017 from 4:00pm to 8:00pm at Colonial Funeral Home, 591 Ridgeview Drive, McHenry and will continue at Colonial on Monday, July 17, 2017 from 10:00am to 10:30am. Funeral Mass will begin at 11:00am at St. Mary's Catholic Church in McHenry. Interment will immediately follow at the church cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1407 N. Richmond Road, McHenry, IL 60050, and/or the Rotary Club of McHenry Charitable Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 28, McHenry, IL 60051.

For more information contact the funeral home at 815-385-0063 or visit its website at www.colonialmchenry.com.

Special thanks to all of those who cared for Don at Fox Point and The Springs. Don will indeed be missed by all who knew him and enjoyed his infectious and positive outlook on life.