DONALD F. KILBURG Sr.

Donald F. Kilburg Sr., 89, of Scottsdale, AZ, passed away on May 19, 2010. He was preceded in death by his high school sweetheart and dear wife, Carole Hafner Kilburg. Born in Chicago IL, the son of the late Frank and Margaret Lloyd Kilburg. He is survived by his children, Donald Jr. (Patricia) of Greenville, SC, Susan Monaghan (Terence) of Dar es Salaam Tanzania, Sally (Khati Hendry) of Summerland, BC, Elizabeth (Louisa Castner) of Minneapolis, MN, Jeanne (Karl Bahm) of Bremerton, WA, and William (Karin) of Scottsdale, AZ. He has 10 grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren. Additionally, he is survived by a sister, Betty McLaughlin, of Orland Park, IL; and numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was a graduate of Northwestern University and Mt. Carmel High School. He was a decorated WWII veteran of the US Army Air Corps 487th Bomb Group, the "Gentlemen from Hell". He served as a bombardier in the famous B-17 Flying Fortress, flying more than 30 missions over enemy territory in Europe. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross for his action on Dec. 24, 1944 when he and his crew led the 8th Air Force in the largest bombing mission in history in support of the Allied troops on the ground during the Battle of the Bulge. After the war, he was employed by Armour & Co. (Dial Corp.) for 42 years, working in various accounting, finance, computer systems and management functions in Chicago, St. Paul, and Phoenix. He retired in 1980 in order to become a full time companion and caregiver for his loving wife, Carole, who was suffering from the progressive dementia of Alzheimer's disease and he carried out that role selflessly for 23 years until Carole died. His dedication to her was an inspiration to many. Family and friends will gather to celebrate his life at Messinger's Mortuary, 7601 Indian School Rd., Scottsdale, Sunday, May 23, from 5 to 7 p.m. His Funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Maria Goretti in Scottsdale, 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 24. Interment with graveside service will be held at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona at 12:30 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Foundation, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Fl. 17, Chicago, IL 60601.