Donald John Winthers, age 93, a resident of Wheaton, IL, passed away peacefully and surrounded by family, on Friday, July 4, 2025.  He was born on October 5, 1931, in Chicago, IL, to William & Emma Winthers.

Don was the "middle child" of seven, with two sisters and a brother who were older, and two sisters and a brother who were younger. He was a 1950 graduate of Wheaton Community Highschool.  Don met the love of his life, Mary Lou ("Bunny"), while working at the Continental Bank in Chicago, and they were married on October 4, 1952.  Following his service in the Army during the Korean Conflict, he commenced his professional career at Carlson's Paint and Glass.   Don then worked at Nicor for more than 30 years, first in the Display Department and then headed Nicor's newly created Thermography Program, until he retired in 1992.

Don loved golfing, bowling, fishing, tennis and most of all, his family—instilling a love of family time and boating vacations at the Lake of the Ozarks--his favorite spot.  He started the traditional Lake of the Ozark vacation pilgrimage, which spanned over 50 years, and grew to include 4 generations every year in June.  Don was an initial and decades-long member of the Wheaton Sports Center—his "Club", and he attended St. Paul Lutheran Church in Wheaton, for almost 75 years.

Don had an incredible talent and ability to fix anything that was broken and to take on any project.  He was always there to lend a hand (and an opinion).  After retiring, he traveled with Bunny throughout the country and the world, as her "ex-officio" assistant on countless Wheaton Park District Senior Citizens trips, until Bunny finally retired in 2012.

He is survived by his wife of 72 years, Mary Lou (Bunny); his children David (Linda), Linda (Bob) Reines, Cynthia (Bob) D'Antonio and Kenneth (Michelle); his grandchildren: Matthew, Jonathan, Steven, Michelle, Michael, Zachary, Nicholas and Kaitlyn, Stefani and Jessica; his great-grandchildren, Erin, Owen, Lillianna, Kaia, Eliana, Ava, Josie, Georgia, Alena, Quinten, Kristalyn, Avalyn, Mina and Harrison; and a brother, Richard Winthers, along with many nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 sisters and a brother (Laverne Welnicki, Irene Snyder, Arlene Ettner, Florence Nikolich and Bill Winthers).

A visitation will be held on Friday, July 11, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the funeral service at 11:00 am at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL 60187.  Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery.

Memorial gifts may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association .

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