Donald Tyler

On June 15th, Donald Tyler died, with his loving wife of 69 years by his side.

Don was born January 2, 1933 in Rapid City, Illinois to Theodore and Vala Tyler. His childhood spent along the banks of the Mississippi River was straight out of a Mark Twain novel, including a motley cast of characters that were his family and friends. He literally grew up in a tarpaper shack with no indoor plumbing that had once been his grandparent’s grocery store. His family lived off the land, eating what their garden provided in addition to feasting off the local wildlife (squirrels, opossums, and groundhogs) as well as the more affordable cuts of meat from his father’s grocery store – delicacies such as tongue, heart, liver, and head cheese. The river was a mainstay of his childhood; he and his childhood friends learned to swim (sans swimsuits), had mud fights, built boats from road signs and road tar, and played underwater tag. When they weren’t in the river they were in the woods as it was a childhood spent filled with outdoor adventures. He and Lois maintained lifelong relationships with those childhood friends and built many new friend groups throughout their lives. They spent countless hours playing cards, fishing, hunting, dancing, and canoeing with all the friends they developed during their lives.

Don graduated from Port Byron High School where he met Lois Pannell. They married in 1952 and quite literally stood by each other through better and worse for 69 years.

During the Korean War, Don was assigned a position as a cryptographer at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. After his service, he went to college on the G.I. Bill. He became the first person in his family to earn a bachelor's degree, which he affectionately referred to as BS. He taught industrial arts at East High School and subsequently became a guidance counselor at Guilford High School where he stayed for the remainder of his career. He dearly loved his work and the kids he served over the years.

The man was born with a hammer in his hand and a never ending passion to build. He built several houses for himself and his wife. He and Lois were avid dancers, sometimes attending two dances a weekend. They met a wonderful group of dancers from across the US. Those relationships were strengthened by weekend fish dinners at the Moose Club and continued through several moves Don and Lois made while they flipped houses during his “retirement” years.

They made their last move to Rockton, Illinois into a lovely community of active neighbors that helped each other whenever they were called upon. Those friendships were deep and connective, and the importance of these relationships can never be overstated. Don enjoyed the outdoors with a daily early morning golf game becoming a staple of his later years.

Don and Lois had two children, DeAnn and Howard. DeAnn was born at Walter Reed Hospital during the Pentagon era, and Howard was born at the Swedish-American Hospital in Rockford, IL. Howard became a professor in animal science and is presently an Assistant Dean at Iowa State University. DeAnn received her Master’s degree at the University of Illinois and worked as a social worker in public schools and is a renowned fabric artist. Don and Lois had seven grandchildren and currently have ten great-grandchildren.

There will be no service, and any remembrances in Don’s name should be sent to organizations of your choice.