Donald Wright

DONALD WRIGHT,age 86 of Hinckley, IL, passed away early Sunday morning, May 25, 2008 at Valley West Community Hospital, Sandwich, where he was taken following a sudden illness at his home. BORN / EARLY YEARSHe was born November 4, 1921 in Marshall County, near Bradford, IL the son of Frank and Mabel (Keen) Wright. EDUCATIONDonald grew up on the family farm and attended Bradford High School where he held the honor of Champion Corn Husker. Farming ran deep in Donald’s heart and his lifelong dream of farming began as he worked with his father. MILITARY:Graduating with the class of 1940, Donald was drafted two years later when WWII broke out. The Army, however, soon discovered the heart murmur he was born with and sent him back to the farm. Donald’s hard-work ethic never bothered his heart a bit and that ethic would become one of the hidden legacies he passed on to his children and grandchildren. MARRIAGE & FAMILYOn March 8, 1945, Donald was united in marriage to his high school sweetheart, Jeannette Farley. Her parents having moved to Kaneville to farm, Donald quickly made the choice to follow suit and he and Jeannette were soon wed at the Kaneville United Methodist Church. They farmed briefly in Bradford before renting the Terrill Farm on Scott Road, near Kaneville. They remained there for ten years and were blessed with three children: Janice, Gary and Joan. Moving then to Sugar Grove, they farmed the Alexander Farm on Prairie Road where their fourth child, Suzanne, was born. Eight years later they moved to Big Rock where they lived on the Obrien Farm on Jericho Road. In 1973, the Waldee Farm on Shabbona Grove Road, near Waterman, became home and they continued there until 1988 when Donald and Jeannette moved to town and settled in Hinckley.LIFE NOTES Through it all, Donald’s life revolved around three things: his family, his faith and his community. Whether working on the farm or volunteering as a 4-H leader and Little League umpire, Donald was involved in the lives of his children and he made them part of his life as well. A car ride might take the kids to "check the crops", visit the Chicago Stock Yards or watch the planes at O’Hare – but almost invariably, would wind up at the ice cream shop! Back home, he was especially fond of working with his son, Gary, sharing his love of farming, as his father had shared it with him. Although he worked hard, Donald also found time to serve his community and his church. Through the years, he was a life-long member of the Methodist church, including Boyd’s Grove, Kaneville, Waterman and the Hinckley Methodist church where he also served on the board that built the new church just behind his home. Don was a member of several organizations and boards including:the Big Rock American Legion, the Kane county Fair Board,the Kane County Mutual Insurance board and the Waterman Lion’s Club.In later years when Jeannette started golfing, she got Donald involved and they became members of the Indian Oaks Country Club, Shabbona, IL.Donald loved Jig Saw Puzzles and bowling and was a Die Hard Cubs Fan (even if, now and then, he got mad enough to turn the TV off before the 9th inning!) Donald also loved to watch the Fighting Illini, the alma mater of his brothers and his uncles.SURVIVORS In addition to his wife of 63 years, Jeannette, he is survived by: Four children:Janice (John) Carnes of Franklin Gove, ILGary (Mary) Wright of Dakota Dunes, South DakotaJoan (William) Dorion of Hinckley, ILSusanne (Mark) Whitt, also of Hinckley, IL;Four grandchildren:Joan’s: Nicole and Ashley;Susanne’s: Caitlyn and Dylan;One brother: John (Evelyn) Wright of Sparta, IL Many nieces, nephews and cousins. PRECEDED He is preceded in death by his parents, three siblings: Leland Wright, Mary Wilma Divilbiss and Loren Wright.And one nephew, Jerry DivilbissVISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation and funeral services will be held Thursday, May 29,2008 at the Hinckley First United Methodist Church, 801 North Sycamore Street , Friends are invited to share in memories and refreshment at visitation from 4-7:00pm. Evening funeral services will begin at 7:30 pm. Pastor Michael Mann will officiate and Private family interment services will follow Friday morning at Greenwood Cemetery, Somonauk Road, Hinckley. MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Donald’s name to benefit the Hinckley First United Methodist Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Donald Wright Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, visit the website or call 630-365-6414 or 1-800-8-CONLEY.

VISITATION / FUNERAL Visitation and funeral services will be held Thursday, May 29,2008 at the Hinckley First United Methodist Church, 801 North Sycamore Street , Friends are invited to share in memories and refreshment at visitation from 4-7:00pm. Evening funeral services will begin at 7:30 pm. Pastor Michael Mann will officiate. Private family interment services will follow Friday morning at Greenwood Cemetery, Somonauk Road, Hinckley.

MEMORIAL A memorial has been established in Donald’s name to benefit the Hinckley First United Methodist Church and other favorite charities. Memorials checks may be made to the Donald Wright Memorial and mailed in care of P.O. Box 66, Elburn, IL 60119. Tributes and memories may also be forwarded to the family at the same address or through his obituary at www.conleycare.com. For information, visit the website or call 630-365-6414 or 1-800-8-CONLEY.