Walter Joseph McFadden

1929 - 2022

Walter Joseph (Joe) McFadden, 93, of Woodridge, IL, passed away peacefully Saturday, December 10, 2022 at his home in Homer Glen, IL. He was surrounded by family, watching football in his favorite recliner.

Joe was the eldest son of the late Walter and Lois McFadden (nee Hilton). He was married to Mary Edith Donallene (Donna) McFadden (nee Anderson). They had been married for 71 years.

He was born July 3, 1929 in Oil City, PA and graduated from Oil City High School in 1947.

Joe enlisted and served in the US Navy for three years after high school where he earned his advanced electronics certification. After being honorably discharged in 1950 he attended Marshall University on an athletic scholarship. He left school to marry Donna and began his career with Sears, Roebuck and Company. He worked his way from the ground floor as a TV and radio repairman in Oil City, PA to Global Head of Technical Services on the 94th floor of the Sears Tower in Chicago, IL over his 44-year career with Sears. After retirement, Joe and Donna moved to Winter Haven, FL. In 2021 Joe and Donna relocated to Homer Glen, IL to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Joe was a gifted athlete and participated in many sports throughout his life including football, basketball, wrestling, baseball, volleyball, softball, handball, and golf. His lifelong passions were wrestling and handball. Joe was nationally ranked in handball at one point in his life. Joe never did anything halfway. He was demanding in his expectations of himself and of others, but never demanded more than he was willing to give himself. He was a dedicated husband and father and was the unwavering constant in the lives of his family. His primary joy in middle and later years was the lives, interests and accomplishments of his children and grandchildren.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by brothers, Howard and George, and his eldest son, William Hilton McFadden.

Surviving are his wife, Donna, of Homer Glen, IL; his brother, David Hilton McFadden, of Oil City, PA; daughters, Pamela Avis McFadden, of Indian Wells, CA; Jenifer McFadden Surma, wife of Donald, of Frankfort, IL; Michael Joseph McFadden, husband of Suzanne, of Warrenville, IL; Lee Alan McFadden, husband of Janice, of South Beloit, IL; three granddaughters Kristine, Jessica, and Donna; 6 grandsons Joseph, James, Patrick, Matthew, Evan, and Michael; and three great grandchildren Liam, Grayson, and Isabel. Four nieces and one nephew, with a notable relationship of mutual respect and affection with his nephew David Donald McFadden of Dallas, TX.

At his request, there will be no memorial service. Joe will be laid to rest in his beloved Oil City, PA beside his eldest son Bill.