Albert F. DeGeeter

Albert F. "Al" DeGeeter, age 83, is a beloved father, husband, friend, and community member. Born in Aurora, IL he moved to Naperville, IL in 1968 where he raised his family and served his community. On Sunday, October 8, 2023, he passed away peacefully at Edward Hospital in Naperville surrounded by his family. He was born on July 4, 1940, in Aurora to Clarence and Johanna (nee Mueller) DeGeeter.

Growing up in Aurora, IL, Al attended Our Lady of Good Counsel Grade School and Marmion Military Academy where he graduated in 1958. After high school, he served as a military policeman in the U.S. Army from 1963-1965, stationed in Korea. After his honorable discharge, Al began a lengthy career in sales with his brother, Dean, at his downtown Naperville clothing store. Al also co-owned and operated a restaurant & bar, The Hobnail (now Colonial Café), in Naperville with his wife, Margo, in the late 1970's and early 1980's.

Al enjoyed being active within the Naperville community. He was active in multiple local YMCA fundraisers. He served as a host greeter at St. Raphael Catholic Church. He was a member of the Naperville Retail Council and Naperville Noon Rotary. He served on the Board of Directors for the Naperville Area Chamber of Commerce and on the board of the Naperville Crime Stoppers, the latter of which he served as a former President. Most notably, he remained an active member of the Naperville Jaycees since the late 1960's, served as President from 1970- 1971, and became an annual staple in Naperville's Labor Day Parade where you could find him in his patriotic shorts holding a donation bucket and talking to everyone along the parade route.

Al is remembered by his beloved wife of 55 years, Margo A. DeGeeter (nee Friedman), whom he married October 5, 1968; his children, Ken (Melissa) DeGeeter of Aurora and Beth DeGeeter of Naperville; his grandson Simon M. DeGeeter; as well as his expansive and loved groups of family and friends. He will also be missed by his fur grandpup Oreo. Al is preceded in death by his parents, his son, Ed DeGeeter and his brothers, Dean, Dale, Darrell, and Robert DeGeeter.

Al will be remembered for his love of family and community. His passion and dedication to service has helped shape our city. It made a growing city always feel like an intimate town. His gregarious personality and "gift of gab" made every acquaintance feel like his friend, every friend- his family, and every family member, his world.

Visitation will be held on Monday, October 16, 2023, 3:00-8:00 PM at?Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday, October 17, 11:00 AM at St. Raphael Catholic Church, 1215 Modaff Rd., Naperville.

Future inurnment: Mausoleum of the Holy Apostles, SS. Peter & Paul Cemetery, Naperville.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Al's memory may be made to: Naperville Jaycees, P.O. Box 22, Naperville, IL 60566-0022, (630) 961-9375, email: jcinfo@naperjaycees.org, https://www.naperjaycees.org/donate/ or The Pulmonary Fibrosis Foundation, 230 East Ohio Street, Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60611, (888) 733-6741, https://www.pulmonaryfibrosis.org/

For more information, please visit www.friedrich-jones.com or call (630) 355-0213.