Obituary of Donald Springer

Donald Gene Springer was born in Bridgeport IL on February 10, 1934 and passed away after battling cancer on April 26, 2008. Don grew up in Lawrenceville IL and moved to Zion in 1941 where he met Mary Ann Hollingshead, and they married in 1951. They eventually settled in Ingleside IL to raise their family of six children until divorcing in 1977. Don began dating Terry (Mary J.) Boyer in 1982 and though never married, they have been together for the last 26 years, moving from Park City to Zion in 1994. Don spent 35 years as a dedicated employee at Fansteel in North Chicago and also served as part-time bartender at Bud's Two-Two Lounge as well as many other North Chicago/Waukegan establishments. After retiring from Fansteel, Don kept busy with various projects including building bird houses, working at the State Park, and spent two years as the Farmer's Market Manager for the Gurnee Park District which allowed him to further share his warm and outgoing personality with others. During his time in the Zion/Waukegan area, Don was active in the Moose Lodge and a member of both The Tiny's Social Club and the Fansteel Retiree Club. He served on the board and as president of the IAM Union for several terms and was instrumental in providing fair contracts for its members. Don enjoyed camping, fishing, spending time on the computer, and with his family. But, most of all, he enjoyed spending his days and nights at home with Terry and their dogs Choo-Choo and Charlie.