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- Rockford Register Star (Rockford, IL)
October 2, 2014
Donald "Don" H. Haskell, 74, of Loves Park entered into his eternal glory Saturday, September 27, 2014, one day shy of his 75th birthday. He was born September 28, 1939, in Rockford, to Homer and Virginia (Boyer) Haskell.
He graduated from West High School, Class of 1958. He worked during and after graduation at A & P Supermarket. In February 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Army where he served in the Finance Corp. at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. He was honorably discharged in February 1963. (He was so proud that his granddaughter, Angelica enlisted 50 years almost to that date in the Army - graduating basic training from the same base as he did!)
He returned home from the Army on a Monday, applied at JH Patterson Lumber Co. on that Tuesday and began work on that Wednesday. He became manager of the Loves Park yard and eventually oversaw all yards when he worked at the corporate office.
He was a member of the St. Patrick's YCA group where he met the love of his life, Madeleine Mastroianni. On March 31st he asked her, "Can you live without sports, wallpaper and liver?" When she answered yes to all three he proposed marriage and on September 18, 1965, they were wed. They had four daughters within three years and nine months.
He joined the Loves Park Volunteer Fire Department where he proudly served as a firefighter and eventually the secretary for over 20 years before leaving to spend more time with family. He worked at the lumberyard for 38 years until 2001, when he was the last to walk out the doors when the company closed down.
After retirement, he went to volunteer at Beth Eden United Methodist Church alongside his wife, Madeleine, who served as secretary. When she passed away in 2009, he remained a volunteer and befriended many wonderful people, including Sherry Severing and Pastor Doug Bowden whom he called his first real best friend beside his wife. In his free time he enjoyed working around his house, especially outside where he loved to plant red geraniums and mow the lawn. He loved sitting out front and visiting with neighbors, friends and family. He truly enjoyed the company of his four beloved cats, Boo, Reese, Rocket and Mickey. Nothing was more important to him than his family. He was the kindest, sweetest and most gentle man. He was thoughtful, giving, loving and a true blessing to be around. He was faithful to God and his family.
Survivors include his four daughters, Therese Kopplin, Kathy (Jamie) Snider, Suzi (Scott) Wiersma and Deb (Dave) Keller; 17 grandchildren, Andrew Haskell, Jacob, Justin and Jacklyn Snider, Angelica, Christa, Caleb and Micah Wiersma, Jenny and Emily Bailey, DJ, Erich, Alan and Clare Keller, Alicia, Steve Jr. and Ashley Kopplin; great-granddaughter, Madeleine Roberts, whom he lovingly referred to as his "little Maddie"; brother, David (Denise) Haskell; and sister-in-law, Donna Haskell. He was predeceased by his parents; his dearly loved wife; and his brother, Ron Haskell.
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1939 - 2014 (74 years)
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