Donald W Frey

Donald W. Frey, 96, died peacefully in McHenry, Illinois, on September 11, 2026, after a brief illness, with his family by his side. Don was born in Chicago on May 30, 1930. He grew up in the city’s housing projects before moving to a boarding house in Chicago’s Lake View neighborhood run by his mother, Ethelyn. After attending Lake View High School for two years, he left school to join the U.S. Army. He was stationed at the then-top-secret Sandia Base in New Mexico and was honorably discharged in 1951. After returning to Chicago, he met the love of his life, Theresa “Toots” Rippel, his sister Nancy’s best friend. They married on September 11, 1954, and marked their 72nd anniversary on the day he died. In 1960, Don and Toots moved into a two-flat in Chicago’s Irving Park neighborhood. He owned Don’s Service Station on Northwest Highway in Norwood Park for two years before joining Clark Equipment as a lift-truck mechanic in 1960. During these years, Don and Toots welcomed three children: Terry Ann, Linda, and Donnie. A lifelong self-learner, Don taught himself home improvement while refinishing the back porches of both flats. He also pursued woodworking, leathercraft, model building, astronomy, and tropical fishkeeping. Whenever possible, he took the family camping, progressing from tents to a travel trailer. Lake Michigan beaches were their favorite destinations, while hiking and sightseeing highlighted other trips. In 1972, Don, Toots, and their family moved to a bungalow in Norwood Park. His first project was converting the attic into a bedroom and half-bath for his daughters. He continued his home-improvement and woodworking projects while taking up vegetable gardening and canning. Whatever hobby he pursued, Don taught himself. In 1988, after their children had married, Don and Toots left Chicago for a ranch home in Venetian Village, Illinois. Don retired from Clark Equipment in 1993 after 31 years of service. The couple continued camping for many years. In retirement, he devoted time to woodworking, built model airplanes, and helped his children with home-improvement projects and repairs. Fascinated by his heritage, he researched his family history and compiled an extensive family tree and photograph collection. Don eagerly anticipated the annual fishing trip he began in 1954 with his best friend and brother-in-law, Joe Rippel. On that first outing, they sheltered beneath a tarp draped over the back of a station wagon. Their sons, Donnie and Joe, joined in the late 1960s, by which time the group camped in a trailer. The tradition continues today and has grown to include grandsons, nephews, in-laws, and friends. Don joined the trips well into his 90s. Don always had a quick quip for every occasion and a uniquely memorable sense of humor. Kind and easygoing, he was always ready to help others. He passed on his many interests to his family. Don was preceded in death by his mother, Ethelyn Bahn; father, Floyd Frey; stepfather, Fred Bahn; sisters, Shirley Wilson and Nancy Rippel; brother, Robert Frey; and grandchild, Renee Pankau. Don is survived by his wife, Theresa Rippel; children, Terry (Rich) Weingart, Linda (Rich) Pankau, and Donald (Jennifer) Frey; grandchildren, Bryan (Anita) Shanahan, Katryna Weingart, Samantha (David) Thomas, Nicholas (Sarah) Pankau, Lindsey Pankau, Hannah (Shane) Richardson, Ashlee Frey, and Emily Frey; great-grandchildren, Malina Shanahan, David Thomas, Charles Thomas, Ethan Thomas, Robert Thomas, Cooper Pankau, and Murphy Pankau; niece, Pam (Gary) Maier; nephew, Joe (Toni) Rippel; and many great-nieces and great-nephews. A memorial for Don will be held on Friday, November 6, 2026 from 3pm to 7pm at Ringa Funeral Home in Lake Villa, IL.

Donald W Frey

May 30, 1930 - September 11, 2026

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