Donald “Don” Walter Christey, 84, died peacefully on June 20, 2023.
Don was born in Chicago on August 3, 1938, to parents Walter and Emma (nee Goeltz) Christey. He married Gloria McCollum on October 29, 1960, and the couple spent many happy years together prior to her death in 2017.
Don was an engineer with AT&T and while working there he developed lasting friendships. They often vacationed together and have been friends for the past 67 years. He was a baseball player and was invited to the Philadelphia Phillies organization right out of high school. Don was an avid baseball fan and enjoyed nothing more than cheering on his beloved Chicago Cubs. His favorite pastime was fishing, his fishing trips to Canada. He loved telling stories, and always had a good joke ready to tell. Don was fun loving, kind and will be missed by all who knew him.
Don is survived by his children, Jim (Liz Griffiths) Christey, and Julie (Todd) Romeiser, his grandchildren, Eric, Matthew, Tyler, and Keaton, his nephews, Robert Peters, and Keith Peters, his niece, Michelle Peters, and his AT&T group of friends.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria Christey, and his sisters, Shirley Tokarz, Lucille (Frank) Thomas, and Elaine (Robert) Rustman.
Visitation will be Thursday, June 29, 2023, from 4 p.m. to time of service 7 p.m. all at DeFiore Funeral Home, 10763 Dundee Road, Huntley.
Burial will be Friday, 11am at Elmwood Cemetery, 2905 Thatcher Avenue, River Grove.
For further information, please contact the DeFiore Funeral Home 847-515-8772 or online condolences may be posted at www.defiorefuneral.com
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Thinking of you and Gloria !!!! Will always keep eye on Julie - Part of Bunco girls forever !! Love and miss you both . Barb Czerniak
Don is in Heaven. He was my good friend. God bless all of you.
Don is in Heaven. He was my good friend. God bless all of you.
Don is in Heaven. He was my good friend. God bless all of you.
I just learned of the passing of Don, my neighbor since 1991. I have fond memories of him riding his bike past our house and always had time for a wave or short visit. As he became less active, I kept an eye on the house and began to bring his paper to the porch when the weather was bad. After a while, I just did it every day. He started leaving me little notes and we traded some of our favorite treats. He came down and visited during Covid. Once he canceled his newspaper, I had fewer interactions with him but watched for him to fly the W for our beloved Cubbies. I will miss his quiet, dependable constant in our neighborhood. With condolences to the family, I’m so sorry I was out of town and missed my chance to say a final goodbye at his service.
I just learned of the passing of Don, my neighbor since 1991. I have fond memories of him riding his bike past our house and always had time for a wave or short visit. As he became less active, I kept an eye on the house and began to bring his paper to the porch when the weather was bad. After a while, I just did it every day. He started leaving me little notes and we traded some of our favorite treats. He came down and visited during Covid. Once he canceled his newspaper, I had fewer interactions with him but watched for him to fly the W for our beloved Cubbies. I will miss his quiet, dependable constant in our neighborhood. With condolences to the family, I’m so sorry I was out of town and missed my chance to say a final goodbye at his service.