Donald Delos Fowler

ROCHESTER, IL - Don was born to Delos and Fern Godfrey Fowler on March 15, 1926, in Geneseo, Ill. He departed this life on March 14, 2015.

He married Betty Jo Dahlen on Aug. 29, 1953, and she survives.

Also surviving are three children: Tom (wife, Lynne Hjelte) of Portland, Ore., Mai Britt of Rochester, Ill., and Birgit Burke of Laramie, Wyo.; five grandchildren: Annie, Paul (wife, Au), Eric Fowler of Portland, Miriam Burke of Trinity Alps Wilderness, Calif., Kate (Karl) Novick of San Diego; three sisters: Helen Ellsberry of Florida, Jean (Don) Bates of Princeton, Ill., and Peg Barnett of Younton, Ariz.; one brother, Arnold (Paula) of Geneseo; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Ronald (Lois); and sisters, Catherine (Al DeDoncker) and Neva (John Hungerford).

He was a graduate of Geneseo High School, University of Illinois Champaign and studied at Sangamon State, now University of Illinois Springfield.

He proudly served his country in the U.S. Navy, U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserves retiring as Colonel.

He was employed and retired from Illinois Department of Transportation Bureau of Research and Testing materials. He was a member of several professional engineering societies, St. Paul's 500, Ansar Shrine and Island Bay Yacht Club.

He was a charter member of Atonement Lutheran Church and a member of Grace Lutheran Church (ELCA) in Springfield, Ill.

A Celebration of Life Service will be at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015, at Grace Lutheran Church with Pastor Thomas B. Christell officiating.

Visitation will be one hour before and one hour after the service.

Cremation was accorded before the service.

Memorials may be sent to: Grace Lutheran Church Food Pantry, 714 E. Capitol, Springfield, IL; Alzheimer's Association or a charity of donor's choice.

Wilson Park Funeral Home, 200 E. Main St., Rochester, IL 62563 is in charge of arrangements. Visit our online obituary at www.wilsonparkfuneralhome.com.