Obituary for Don Errol Ehnle
Don Errol Ehnle, 82, of Dunlap passed away peacefully at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, March 8, 2022 at OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria, IL, where he was surrounded by his loving family and caring staff.
Don was born April 7, 1939 at home in Dunlap, IL to Chris and Lydia (Eberle) Ehnle.
He married the love of his life, Nellie Jo Morrissey, on November 17, 1962 in Wyoming, IL at Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church, she survives, and they shared their love together for almost 60 years. Also surviving are his children Tony (Laura) Ehnle Edelstein, IL, Suzette (Mark) Swanson Dunlap, IL, and Steve (Tammy) Ehnle Brimfield, IL; 11 grandchildren Erin (Garret) Brown Laura, IL, Paige (Jon) Heaton Toulon, IL, Christian Ehnle Dunlap, IL, Kelsey (Jeremy) Bassett Pittsburg, PA, Taylor Ehnle Chicago, IL, Sierra Swanson Dunlap, IL, Brock (Paige) Swanson Princeville, IL, Ridge Swanson Edwardsville, IL, Slade Swanson Dunlap, IL, Ethan Ehnle Brimfield, IL, and Emily Ehnle Brimfield, IL; 3 great-grandchildren Hugh Brown, Landon Brown, and Julian Bassett; sister Eleanor (George) Dunn, brothers Eldon (Mary Jane) Ehnle, Dean (Carol) Ehnle, and Joel (Nora) Ehnle; sister-in-laws Anna Mae Christie, Jeanne (Bud) Porter, Sharon Morrissey, and Carol Ehnle; and his reliable sidekick Roxie the Rottweiler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roland Ehnle, sister Alice Williamson, son Douglas Ehnle, brother-in-law Patrick Morrissey, brother-in-law John Cox, nephews Joe Cox and Kevin Ehnle.
Don graduated from Wyoming High School in 1957 and played football for 4 years being All Conference End Senior year earning a scholarship to college. Instead of going to college, Don stayed home to support their family and attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL at a later time. He worked at Stahl Lumber Company for 2 years, Al Baer Lumber Company for 6 years, Superintendent at Noah Herman and Sons for 18 years, part owner of Trimco for a good number of years before selling out to focus on his construction business. He was self-employed for 40 years. In 1997, due to a job injury, Don became a paraplegic, but that did not derail his ambitions as he continued his construction business and taught himself AutoCAD allowing him to design and draw plans for residential homes and commercial buildings throughout the Peoria area. He taught us many life lessons and skills.
Don was a member of St. Clements and St. Jude Catholic Church where he was the trustee for a number of years and on the building committee. He had a great passion for sports and loved teaching others how to play. He was involved in the Dunlap Recreation Association, coaching the kids for 15 years and helped bring JFL to the Dunlap Community. He helped build concession stands and the original Eagles Nest at Dunlap High School. Don was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini. He enjoyed watching football and college basketball. During the summer he enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, and setting off fireworks. One of his most adventurous vacations was packing up the motor home with the whole family going to Colorado skiing at Breckenridge and Keystone.
Don’s family is very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers from family and friends during this time. They invite you to share fond memories or a message of support by visiting csmico.com
In honoring Don’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or services. Private burial services will be at a later date at St. Dominic’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Memorial giving 501 St. Jude Place Memphis Tennessee 38105 and OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home Peoria, IL.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
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Don was born April 7, 1939 at home in Dunlap, IL to Chris and Lydia (Eberle) Ehnle.
He married the love of his life, Nellie Jo Morrissey, on November 17, 1962 in Wyoming, IL at Saint Dominic’s Catholic Church, she survives, and they shared their love together for almost 60 years. Also surviving are his children Tony (Laura) Ehnle Edelstein, IL, Suzette (Mark) Swanson Dunlap, IL, and Steve (Tammy) Ehnle Brimfield, IL; 11 grandchildren Erin (Garret) Brown Laura, IL, Paige (Jon) Heaton Toulon, IL, Christian Ehnle Dunlap, IL, Kelsey (Jeremy) Bassett Pittsburg, PA, Taylor Ehnle Chicago, IL, Sierra Swanson Dunlap, IL, Brock (Paige) Swanson Princeville, IL, Ridge Swanson Edwardsville, IL, Slade Swanson Dunlap, IL, Ethan Ehnle Brimfield, IL, and Emily Ehnle Brimfield, IL; 3 great-grandchildren Hugh Brown, Landon Brown, and Julian Bassett; sister Eleanor (George) Dunn, brothers Eldon (Mary Jane) Ehnle, Dean (Carol) Ehnle, and Joel (Nora) Ehnle; sister-in-laws Anna Mae Christie, Jeanne (Bud) Porter, Sharon Morrissey, and Carol Ehnle; and his reliable sidekick Roxie the Rottweiler.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Roland Ehnle, sister Alice Williamson, son Douglas Ehnle, brother-in-law Patrick Morrissey, brother-in-law John Cox, nephews Joe Cox and Kevin Ehnle.
Don graduated from Wyoming High School in 1957 and played football for 4 years being All Conference End Senior year earning a scholarship to college. Instead of going to college, Don stayed home to support their family and attended Bradley University in Peoria, IL at a later time. He worked at Stahl Lumber Company for 2 years, Al Baer Lumber Company for 6 years, Superintendent at Noah Herman and Sons for 18 years, part owner of Trimco for a good number of years before selling out to focus on his construction business. He was self-employed for 40 years. In 1997, due to a job injury, Don became a paraplegic, but that did not derail his ambitions as he continued his construction business and taught himself AutoCAD allowing him to design and draw plans for residential homes and commercial buildings throughout the Peoria area. He taught us many life lessons and skills.
Don was a member of St. Clements and St. Jude Catholic Church where he was the trustee for a number of years and on the building committee. He had a great passion for sports and loved teaching others how to play. He was involved in the Dunlap Recreation Association, coaching the kids for 15 years and helped bring JFL to the Dunlap Community. He helped build concession stands and the original Eagles Nest at Dunlap High School. Don was a lifelong fan of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini. He enjoyed watching football and college basketball. During the summer he enjoyed boating, fishing, gardening, and setting off fireworks. One of his most adventurous vacations was packing up the motor home with the whole family going to Colorado skiing at Breckenridge and Keystone.
Don’s family is very appreciative of the thoughts and prayers from family and friends during this time. They invite you to share fond memories or a message of support by visiting csmico.com
In honoring Don’s wishes, there will be no public visitation or services. Private burial services will be at a later date at St. Dominic’s Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Memorial giving 501 St. Jude Place Memphis Tennessee 38105 and OSF Richard L. Owens Hospice Home Peoria, IL.
The Cremation Society of Mid-Illinois Co. Pekin/Peoria is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at csmico.com
To plant a tree in memory of Don Errol Ehnle, visit the Tribute Store.
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