Dr. C. David McLaughlin of Huntley IL died October 25, 2021 at age 80, born the son of Clyde and Verna (Johnson) McLaughlin of Melvin, IL. Most of his childhood was spent in Peoria, IL, graduating from Columbia Grade School and Peoria Central High School. A graduate of the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine he practiced his entire veterinary career as a clinician, owner/partner and ultimately as Hospital Director of the Dundee Animal Hospitals.
Active in his community he was a member of the Jaycees and a charter member of the Dundee Rotary Club as well as having served on the Board of Directors for Dundee Township Family Service.
Professionally he was a Past President of the Kane County Veterinary Medical Association and a member of the Illinois State Veterinary Medical Association (life member), Chicago Veterinary Medical Association (life member) serving on the Board of Directors, the American Veterinary Medical Association (life member) and the American Veterinary Hospital Association. Upon retirement he founded the Doberman Pinscher Foundation of America and later oversaw its merger with the Morris Animal Foundation and endowed the McLaughlin Family Scholarship at the University of Illinois Foundation.
A great pleasure was his gifted life size bronze statue of “Always Faithful” commending the Marine War Dogs that gave their lives in the WW2 battle for Guam. The statue lies in the main floor entry area of the Alfred M. Gray Research Center of the Marine Corps, Quantico, Virginia.
A man of insatiable curiosity, he had many interests and hobbies: genealogy, woodworking, freshwater and light-tackle saltwater fishing on four continents as well as U.S. travel. He could not understand how anyone could be bored if there was a book that hadn’t been read and kept a log of his favorite platitudes, his favorite being “To fail to plan is to plan to fail”.
Left to mourn are:
Cherished wife Joy
Five beloved children: Chad, Beth, Heather (Jeff) Smith, Marcie (Dan) Marquis, and Megan (Chris) Hernandez
Twelve dear grandchildren: Ethan, Aaron and Aidan Hailey; Grant, Madison and Lauren Smith; Noah, Abby and Jude Arsenault; Wyatt Marquis; Keily and Hope Hernandez.
Five caring stepchildren: Greg (Sharon) Wicklas, Holly Wicklas, Jill (Fred) Kruger, Julie (John) Dooley, Brad (Tamera) Wicklas
Twelve adoring grand stepchildren.
In Lieu of flowers donations are welcome to the McLaughlin Family Scholarship, College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Illinois, 2001 S Lincoln Ave, Urbana, IL 61802
Visitation will be on Monday, November 1, 2021 from 1:00 to 3:00pm with a service held at 3:00pm all at DeFiore Funeral Home-10763 Dundee Road, Huntley. Burial will be in Huntley Cemetery. For further information please call the funeral home at 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be directed to www.defiorefuneral.com
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I offer my deepest condolences to Joy and the extended McLaughlin family. I am thinking of you during this difficult time. I know that my boys will always cherish their memories of Grandpa Mac's holiday celebrations and other family events.
To my sister Joy I'm sending strength and grace for this very stressful time and loss. I know that you and Dave shared your great affection for animals. I particularly appreciated Dave's diligence in contributing to the construction of the Hastings family genealogy. He will be Missed.