Donald E Haug

NAME Donald E. "Don" Haug, age 76, of Maple Park, IL, died tragically following a car accident on Saturday, September 12, 2009. On his way to one of his favorite fishing spots that fateful morning, Don left this world and entered his Heavenly home with rod and reel in hand, ready to fish in paradise. BORN: He was born on the family farm on February 14, 1933 the son of Joseph and Margaret (Mettle) Haug in Marengo, IL. EARLY YEARS:When he was small they moved from the farm in Marengo to a farm in Virgil where Don and his siblings continued to help with chores on the family farm while attending local schools. EDUCATION: Don finished his schooling at Maple Park High School when he promptly left to serve his country in the United States Army and fought in the Korean War as a medic in 1950. OCCUPATION / WORK HISTORY:Upon his return to civilian life, Don began a forty-three year career working for Elmer Larson’s gravel pit on Airport Rd. in Sycamore. He also drove truck part-time for Henry Theis taking grain from the local elevators to other locations across the state. During the winter, Don plowed snow alongside Swede Severson and Slim Yagen, both then road commissioners, for Virgil Township making sure the roads were clear and safe for his family and friends. MARRIAGE: Don met the love of his life, Joan Pearson, in 1956 at the roller rink in DeKalb. What began on the rink was finished at the altar two years later when they were united in marriage on October 4, 1958 at the Malta Methodist Church. RESIDENTIAL HISTORY: They began their new life together in Malta for a time before moving to their present home in Maple Park where they raised a family of five children. MEMBERSHIPS: He was a proud member of the Maple Park Volunteer Fire Department for many years as well as a member and past commander for the Maple Park Legion, Post 312. Don also was a member of the Elgin Teamsters Union for many years. LIFE NOTES: Don loved to camp out under the stars and converted a 1951 Ford school bus to take his family camping along with friends and their kids for the weekend. After retirement, Don fished nearly every single day. Whether he was alone or with his family and friends, a rod and reel was all he needed to feel at home at his favorite local fishing holes in Northern Illinois, Table Rock Lake, Lake Tanecomo in Branson, MO, or Red Lake Ontario, Canada. When he wasn’t on the water he was on the links, enjoying time on the golf course. Saturdays and Sundays brought Don to the Maple Park Legion for games of Pitch as long as it didn’t interfere with his Chicago Bears on television. The winters drove both Don and Joan to Texas to visit friends and family where they enjoyed the respite from the cold and the snow of Illinois. Later, his children grown with kids of their own, Don would always make time to go to sporting events, school plays and a myriad of graduations to cheer on and support his grandchildren. Gone without being able to say goodbye, his family and friends will pass on a lifetime of love and a legacy of stories about the man who was larger than life but as close as a memory. SURVIVORS: He now leaves his loving wife of fifty-one years, Joan of Maple Park, Five children:Tim (Cynthia) Haug of Cherry Valley, IL, Jeff (Val) Haug of Sycamore, IL, Curt (Brooke) Haug of Belvidere, IL, Greg (Julie) Haug of DeKalb, IL and Dan (Christy) Haug of Sycamore, IL;Eleven grandchildren:Nathan and Travis Haug, Brandon and Brianna Haug, Jacob, Lucas, and Grace Haug, Rebecca and Emma Haug and Zachary and Ian Haug;One brother, LaVern (Iris) Haug of Virgil, One sister, Carol Schultz of Sycamore, Many nieces, nephews and a family of close friends. PRECEDED:He now joins his parents, Joseph and Margaret Haug, mother and father-in-law, Spainer and Ruth Pearson, one brother, Eugene Haug and one sister, Virginia Haug, who preceded him in death. VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A Catholic prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, September 17th at 11 a.m. Conley Funeral Home. Rev. Mark Meyer, pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church in Maple Park, will officiate and private family interment will follow cremation at a later date. MEMORIAL In lieu of flowers, a memorial has been established in their name. Checks may be made to the "Don Haug Memorial" and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, 60119. Tributes may also be forwarded to the same address or on the web at www.conleycare.com.

Visitation will be from 4-8 p.m., Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at Conley Funeral Home, 116 W. Pierce St., Elburn. A Catholic prayer service will be held at 7:30 p.m. A funeral service to celebrate his life will be held Thursday, September 17th at 11 a.m. Conley Funeral Home. Rev. Mark Meyer, pastor of the Grace United Methodist Church in Maple Park, will officiate.

Private family interment will follow cremation at a later date.