Donald G. Isberg

Age 63, died unexpectedly, Thursday, December 14, 2006 at Alexian Brother's Medical Center, Elk Grove Village, IL, where he was taken following a sudden collapse due to a spontaneous brain aneurysm. Miracles do happen and if this "Stubborn Swede" could have prevailed against 2% odds, he would have; but this was not to be Don's miracle, it was to be for others. Giving was so "second nature", so typical of Don Isberg, there was no question in his family's mind when Gift of Hope asked them to let Don's last gift, be his greatest.

He was born to this life, July 13, 1943 in Aurora, IL, the son of George W. and Mary Ellen (Reise) Isberg. The family made their home in Aurora where Don attended East Aurora High School and later graduated from Joliet Township High School.

He was just a teen when he enlisted in the Army. He spent much of his tour of duty behind a typewriter but some of the pages that passed "invisibly" before his top-secret eyes, orchestrated our nation's response to crisis and were next seen by the President of the United States.

Following his discharge, he returned home to Aurora where an old friend invited him to youth-night over the holidays at the Grace Lutheran Church. There, he met Susan Young. It would take him several weeks to get a date with Susan but that date in January, 1965 lead quickly to matrimony on July 31st the same year. Donald and Susan settled in Aurora, just blocks from the church. A year later Don announced they were going to build and would be in their new home in a year. It was a promise he kept and a style that Susan learned to respect. When Don had a dream, he did it and Susan followed, no matter what, no matter where. That was especially true in the nearly two years he worked for Service Master. Don was a Master of his Trade and his skills were recognized across the country by Service Master and many others. But when moving up in the company meant too many moves for his family, Don said goodbye to Service Master and hello to "Isberg's Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning". In almost a single heart-beat, he quit his job, moved his family back to Aurora (in a blizzard!), and set up shop. A perfectionist at his work, the life-of-the-party, at play and a tireless worker in his community, Don never had a "slow day" and his wife and family, never had a "dull moment".

Somehow, he ran his own business, raised three boys, several Newfoundland dogs (and a bunch of others!) and yet pursued his passion for trains as a member of the Burlington Route Historical Society, his love of cars and the Chicagoland Corvair Enthusiasts and an equal passion for Civil War History as a member of the Illinois 8th Infantry Civil War group. Don was also very active in the Oswego community where many remember him giving rides to children in his Newfoundland dog cart. He'll also be remembered by local police and politicians with whom Don was never bashful about expressing his convictionsespecially where safety was an issue. A man of many talents, many faces and an undying commitment to caring for his fellow man, Donald Isberg left this world sooner than anyone would have planned, but he left it a better, safer place and he is undoubtedly, on another "mission". As usual, his devoted wife and family had no choice but to say "yes", and know that Don will explain everything when everyone "gets home" to stay.

He is survived by his wife Susan (Young) of Aurora, IL; his mother, Mary Ellen Isberg of Elburn; three sons: Simon, his wife Kim (Katsaros) of Darien, IL, and their children, Griffin, Lukas and a third child on the way; Tim, his wife Nancy (Nelson) of Montgomery, IL, and their children, Brandon and Sierra; Douglas of Naples, FL; one brother, Alan Julie (Balika) Isberg of Elburn; one sister, Judy (Isberg) Ruffatti, of Carpentersville, IL; many nieces and nephews and a community of friends.

He is preceded in death by his father, George W. Isberg.

Visitation will be held Saturday, December 16, 2006 from 9 am to 1 pm at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn, IL. Funeral services will follow at 1:30 pm at the funeral home. Gary Augustine, pastor of the Evangelical Fellowship Church, Elburn, will officiate. Interment will conclude at Lincoln Memorial Cemetery, Aurora.

A memorial has been established in Donald's name to benefit his favorite charities. Memorial checks may be made to the Donald Isberg Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, please visit our website or call (630) 365-6414.