Donald David Hutchins, age 93, a resident of Naperville, IL, died Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Hines VA Hospital in Maywood, IL. He was born August 21, 1924 in Darrington, WA.

Don grew up in the beautiful Pacific Northwest. In his early years, his family lived near Centralia, Washington and later settled in Seattle. Toward the end of his high school years, he felt the need to serve his country in World War II. At the very young age of 18, he enlisted in the Army and served in the European front. As part of the 276th Engineer Battalion he contributed to the efforts to salvage the famous Ludendorf Railroad Bridge at Remagen and was present at its eventual collapse which killed several of his close friends. He was very proud to serve, yet there were many things he witnessed that he was unable to talk about until the last several years of his life. The war made a huge impact on him and he was grateful to come out of it alive. Many of his buddies did not, and that troubled him for the rest of his days.

After the war, he returned home to Seattle and married his sweetheart, Kathryn Myers (Kay) in 1946, and began his career in the moving business, working for Allied Van Lines. In time, they were thrilled to adopt their son, Dale, and then four years later, their daughter Jan. Don's work took the family to many locations including Anchorage, Alaska, San Mateo, California, back to Seattle (Edmonds), then to the Chicago (Lombard) area in the late 1960s.

In Illinois, Don became CEO of Allied Van Lines International division. He traveled to many parts of the world during this time. He and Kay were charter members of Calvary Church in Naperville during these years and the church was a significant part of their lives.

Upon retiring from Allied, and with their family raised, Don and Kay moved to San Carlos, California. It was there that Don made a major life decision to go into the ministry. He attended Bible college and became an ordained minister with the Assembly of God denomination. This ministry took Don and Kay back to Alaska, and to several locations in Illinois.

In 2000, Don lost his beloved wife of 54 years to cancer. It was a devastating time, and soon after that, his only brother Pat also died of cancer. Don struck up a friendship with Pat's widow, Barbara during this time and this led to their marriage until Barbara's death in 2008.

As Don grew older, he moved to the Wheaton/Carol Stream, Illinois area to be near his daughter, Jan. He became involved in Glen Ellyn Covenant Church and felt very loved by the congregation. He developed close friendships at the church that helped fill his days. He especially appreciated their support as he greatly grieved the unexpected death of his son Dale in late 2015.

When Don became unable to live on his own, and was experiencing troubling back pain, he moved to Independence Village in Naperville, Illinois. He loved living in this warm and loving community and his family was grateful for the support he received there.

He was diagnosed with cancer in fall of 2016, and eventually ended up in Hospice at Hines VA hospital where he received excellent care in the months before he passed away. During this time, he kept his sweet spirit and endured many discomforts without complaining. He loved and cherished visits from his grandsons and wonderful friends. His daughter Jan and son-in-law Duff were privileged to be at his side during the final weeks of his life.

Don was a humble and generous man. He loved his family fiercely and they loved him and will miss him terribly. In the Hospice unit, nurses and doctors told his family that he was one of the kindest, friendliest patients they had ever had. He truly loved people and loved his Lord.

He is survived by his daughter, Jan (Duff) Monaghan of Wheaton; five grandchildren, Ryan (Kristin) Jedlicka, Colin (Linsey) Monaghan and Tyler Monaghan, and Jason Hutchins and Kristine McFadden; seven great-grandchildren, Abbey, Elliott and Lucy, and Brennan, Esmee, Emma and Abby; his daughter-in-law, Lynn Hutchins; and his nephew, Richard (Janie) Cook.

He was preceded in death by his first wife of 54 years, Kathryn; his second wife, Barbara Hutchins; his son, Dale Hutchins; and his brother, Pat Hutchins.

A memorial service will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2017 at 11:00 a.m. at Glen Ellyn Covenant Church , 277 Hawthorne Blvd, in Glen Ellyn, IL 60137. Interment will be private at Mt. Hope Cemetery in Seneca, IL.

Memorial gifts may be directed to Glen Ellyn Covenant Church at the address above.