Photo courtesy of Ahlgrim & Sons Funeral and Cremation Services LTD.
Schaumburg, Illinois
Feb 19, 1933 – Apr 2, 2019 (Age 86)
Donald Lee Totten, 86, of Elgin, passed away peacefully on April 2, 2019 surrounded by family.
Don was born on February 19, 1933 in Brooklyn, New York to Edgar and Louise Totten. He was raised in New Jersey and attended Ridgewood High School. He received a B.S. degree in Mechanical Engineering from Notre Dame University in 1955 and soon after married the love of his life, Joyce Anderson. They had four children. His passions included traveling, politics, golf, wine collecting and watching the Dodgers and Notre Dame.
After a few years in the engineering field, Don was elected Republican Committeeman of Schaumburg Township in 1966. In 1972, he was elected to the Illinois legislature and he received the Illinois Conservative Union’s Legislator of the Year award in 1977. He was elected State Senator in 1980. He ran for Lt. Governor in March of 1982. In 1985, Don was elected Chairman of the Cook County Republican Central Committee. In July 1990, he was appointed a director of the Regional Transportation Authority. Throughout this time, Don was President of a private consulting firm specializing in government relations, management and political consulting.
In addition, Don was State Chairman of the Illinois Citizens for Reagan in 1976 and a member of the Steering Committee of the Illinois President Ford Committee. In 1980, he was Regional Political Director and Illinois State Chairman for the Reagan for President Committee, and a member of Reagan’s transition team. In July 1981, he was appointed to the International Joint Commission.
He was preceded in death by his wife Joyce, daughter Donna, parents Edgar and Louise Totten, and sister Betty Estelle. He is survived by his sister, Barbara Hellenack of Wake Forest, NC. His children Diane Faldstein of Mooresville, NC, Robert and Cyndi Totten of Jacksonville, FL and Kathy and Mike Weber of Cornelius, NC and his grandchildren Brett Faldstein, Ericka Faldstein, Kyle Weber, Jennifer Totten, Alex Weber, Daniel Totten, Brian Totten and his great grandson Joshua Brady.
Visitation will be Friday, April 12th from 4:00-7:30 p.m. with a service being held from 7:30-8:00 p.m. at Ahlgrim and Sons Funeral Home at 330 W. Golf Rd, Schaumburg, IL 60195. Interment will be at St. Michael’s Cemetery in Palatine on Saturday, April 13th at 9:30 a.m. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.
Read MoreSorry to hear about Donald's passing. I didn't find out until after the wake and services. I will keep you in my prayers.
Kim Cannon
April 26, 2019 | McHenry, IL
My sincere condolences to the Totten family. I came to know Mr. and Mrs. Totten as parents to my dear friend Diane, their daughter. I have fond memories of attending the yearly republican picnics as a teenager. After having my own family Mr. Totten impressed upon me the importance of actively participating in our election process through ROOST while we lived in EGV.
He was a principled and persuasive man and I am happy to have known both Mr. and Mrs. Totten.
I pray they are at...
Mary Ellen Scialabba
April 13, 2019 | Lake In The Hills, IL
My condolences to the family of Donald Totten. We shared many wine and cheese get- togethers as we were close neighbors. We will miss him as we did wife, Joyce.
Elaine Viviano
April 12, 2019 | Elgin, IL
He was a good neighbor and friend. Our condolences to the family.
Robert, Sylvia, and Michael Poloway
April 12, 2019 | Elgin, IL | Neighbor
I will never forget Don's patience with an inexperienced young elected official. He was a kind and gifted mentor.
Steven Rauschenberger
April 12, 2019 | Elgin, IL | Friend
My sincerest condolences to Don Tottens' family.
Don was an adviser, counselor, mentor and base for my run for President/Mayor of Schaumburg, run and election as a Schaumburg Township Trustee, President of the Township Trustees Division of Cook County, Director of the Township Officials of Illinois, run for Treasurer of Cook County & run for and election as a Trustee of the Schaumburg Township District Library. I am appreciative of the guidance Don gave me during the aforementioned...
Richard M. Hetzer
April 12, 2019 | Schaumburg, IL | Friend
I was acquainted with Don during my time as a Paige in the Illinois House and being a state officer in Teen-Age Republicans. But when I was a 17 year-old Freshman in college he asked me to head the Reagan Campaign on Illinois College Campuses. It began my involvement with the future President that led to my running the delegates campaign in 1980's Illinois Primary and running the downstate office in Springfield. He brought me out to be the Deputy ED for the Fall campaign even though it was...
Terry Campo
April 11, 2019 | Washington, DC
While working for W.Clement Stone in the early 80's I met Don Totten. President Reagan was in the White House. I volunteered to help Don and ROOST in Schaumburg even though I lived in Barrington. It wasn't long before I was running for Barrington Township Committeeman where I served along side Don for 8 years. Don got me introduced to local politics. The snake bit and later was elected Village Trustee as well as Township Trustee.
I owe Don a debt of gratitude for allowing me to see...
David Schmidt
April 08, 2019 | Barrington, IL
I am sorry for your loss. May the good memories sustain you until God fulfills his promise at John 6:40. My deepest condolences are with you.
A D
April 08, 2019