Don E. Eychaner entered the world in Rockford, Il, on March 4, 1929, the second child of Ray J. Eychaner and his wife M. Evelyn (Eva) Purcell.  Along with his only sister, Lavona, 17 years his senior, Don's early years were spent in the peaceful farming community of Esmond, Illinois.  Don's earnest work ethic began early as he assisted in his dad's general goods store.  Don also worked many summers assisting local farmers.  His mother battled severe rheumatoid arthritis and then his dad passed suddenly when Don was only 14 years old.   Don and his mother moved to Chicago in 1945 to be near his sister Lavona & her husband Lowell.  Don shared a tight family bond with his mom, sister, aunts & uncles including devotion to their Catholic faith.  Don graduated from Taft High School in 1947.

Don worked various jobs in the litho industry, and in 1954 Don was drafted into the service during the Korean war serving with the Army as a map maker in Japan.  Upon his return, he began his decades long career as a printer with Bruce Offset Company in Chicago and Elk Grove Village.

In 1959, Don met a lively RN, a farm girl who had come to the big city, Phyllis Ann Armstrong.  They enjoyed dates attending Chicago Black Hawks in the old stadium.   Don and Phyllis were married on January 7, 1961, in Chicago and moved into their ranch home in Park Ridge.  They welcomed their first-born daughter, Ann Teresa in 1962 and close behind was their beloved second daughter Mary Regina in 1963.   Don was a consummate planner and record keeper, and yet often a man of few words.   In looking ahead to the future Don expressed in a 2010 letter to his daughters, "You are my life's greatest achievement."    Clearly his commitment and loyalty to the provision and care of his family:   mother, wife, daughters, sister, and her family amidst good and very hard times was exemplary to all who knew him.    Don and Phyllis were married 34 years when she passed away in 1995.

After Phyllis' death, Don moved to Wheaton to be near Ann and Mary and their families.  Don took great joy in his 7 grandchildren, attending special events & cheering them on in their activities.  As a sport fan, he greatly enjoyed the Cubs, Bears & Blackhawks.   Grandpa Don never forgot birthdays, and each of his family members received a birthday card without fail each year.

In 2014, Don moved to Windsor Park in Carol Stream and enjoyed attending concerts, weekly mass and continued his lifelong love of playing golf.   Don played 9 holes with the Windsor Park group a week before he died.   Don was a meticulous record keeper, including carefully handwritten notes of most every expense along with a daily log of his walking and exercise schedule over the last decade of his life.

Apart from his life of hard work and deep devotion to his family, Don always had an incredible passion for travel.  Fond memories were made on summer fishing vacations Don planned at cabin resorts in Northern Wisconsin as well as carefully planned road trips to various national parks and other sites.

In his retirement years, apart from his family, Don's greatest joy was his ongoing travel schedule.  He traveled extensively to numerous countries, on tours and over 20 cruises.  Don was always dreaming of his next adventure.  Last year, after missing travel terribly during covid restrictions, Don enjoyed a 93rd birthday trip to Sanibel Island with Ann and Tim and even took an Alaskan cruise during summer.

No doubt Don's greatest gift of travel took place on Thursday morning May 25th.    He did not pack any bags or worry about any travel complications. Rather in the blink of an eye, he took his last breath on earth and drew his first breath in heaven in the presence of Jesus where there is no more sickness, pain, sudden strokes, suffering or tears.   His family eagerly awaits seeing him on the other side.

He is survived by his daughters Ann (Tim) Gemmel & Mary (Greg) Mueller; his grandchildren Tim (Sarah) Gemmel, Matt (Becky) Gemmel, Will (Meghan) Gemmel, Abigail Gemmel, John (Liza) Gemmel, Joshua Mueller & Daniel Mueller; his great-grandchildren Judah, Carson, Isaac, Ezekiel, Andrew, Hannah, Ruth, Naomi & David;  his sister-in-law Rita Armstrong Cearlock; and many nieces & nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Phyllis Ann (nee Armstrong) and his sister Lavona (the late Lowell) Dummer.

A visitation will be held at Hultgren Funeral Home in Carol Stream, 565 Randy Road, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188 , on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 a.m. Interment will be private at Greenview Cemetery in Esmond, Illinois.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Windsor Park Benevolence Fund .

Family and friends may sign a guest book HERE . For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027 .