Douglas B. Mains, M.D., age 79, a resident of Wheaton, IL, and orthopaedic surgeon, passed away Monday, December 9, 2013. He was born July 25, 1934 in Aurora, IL.

A visitation will be held Saturday, December 14, 2013 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main Street, in Wheaton, IL. Interment will be private.

He is survived by his wife, Frances Franks Mains; his two daughters, Sherry (Scott) Torppey and Sheila (Troy) Brown; six grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and countless patients and colleagues who recall his life of service and kindness.

Dr. Mains pioneered the first total hip replacement in DuPage County in 1967 at Central DuPage Hospital, having mastered the surgical technique in England with John Charnley, M.D., originator of the total joint procedure. In 1981 Dr. Mains founded Orthopaedic Associates of DuPage (OAD).

Regarded for his integrity and leadership skill, Dr. Mains served on numerous boards including the Central DuPage Health Foundation and the Presidential Advisory Council of Marianjoy Hospital. He was a member of the Chicago Regional Board of the Nature Conservancy and the Illinois Environmental Council.

Dr. Mains devoted countless hours to the preservation of open space in DuPage County as president of the Conservation Foundation. He chaired the grassroots effort to secure the land now known as Danada Forest Preserve. In 2007 the Daily Herald named Dr. Mains as one of the top ten most influential environmentalists in DuPage County history.

Following great perseverance his final land-preservation dream became reality as he negotiated on behalf of the DuPage County Forest Preserve District the acquisition of historic St. James Farm.

The mandate 'make no little plans' persisted throughout his life. Dr. Mains treasured books and lifelong learning, cherishing most the best of life's offerings - family, friends, music, travel, humor. Exceedingly unselfish, he preferred to enhance and enable the lives of others.

While largely an optimist, he was blessed with a measure of angst. He comprehended the human dilemma, holding steadfastly to his conviction that the hope of humanity is answered through God's redemption.

His family acknowledges with gratitude loyal compassionate nurses who offered exceptional nursing care in a clinical and surgical practice spanning more than thirty years. Likewise we are indebted to Lukasz Razny, a remarkable caregiver and friend to Dr. Mains.

In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be directed to the Conservation Foundation, 10S404 Knoch Knolls Road, Naperville, IL 60565; or the DuPage Community Clinic, 1506 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, IL 60187, where in retirement he helped to serve the under-served in the county; or to Wheaton College, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton, IL 60187.