Donald L. Schuler passed away after fighting a long hard battle with multiple illnesses.  He was held by his children in the final minutes waiting for Helen, his one true love, to be at his side.  He wouldn't have gone without her there...

Sixth of 8 brothers and one sister (passed shortly after birth).Talented high school athlete, Junior Class Vice President, Varsity Club President and Proud Recipient of the Rotary Hackett Award in 1953.  Don was offered a Bradley University Football Scholarship.

Don and Helen have been married 66 years after meeting at the DeKalb Roller Rink.   Don's earliest job was at West Lakes Truck Stop Rt 64 in Sycamore.  This was before the Interstates so this job came with a lifetime of stories we all cherish today.  He then joined Chrysler in Belvidere when they opened in 1965 until he retired in 1991.

Boating was a life-long love, early in their marriage and into retirement.  Lake Riply, Cambridge, WI was always a piece of that love.   After Don joined Chrysler they moved to Kingston on a 5 acre farm.  Together with Helen they raised five kids and  cows, pigs, chickens and had many horses that he trained and taught his kids to ride and show.  It was a magical place for the kids to grow up.  They moved into Genoa until retirement.  Genoa living included family, golfing, bowling, continued love of cars (specifically Chrysler), coaching Cinderella Softball and being a loyal fan of the Bears, Cubs and Bulls.  Don has had a lifelong love for coins finding his first special coin in the bottom of the old cistern on the Kingston farm.  It's only been a matter of days since he was admiring his coins...

Don retired at age 55 with Helen by his side.  They enjoyed life to its fullest living in three different retirement communities in Florida and Arizona.  They enjoyed golf, pickleball, playing cards and stained glass.  They returned to Lake Riply, moved to Rockford and then settled in DeKalb in a wonderful final spot, close to home, where it all began.  Don was lucky to enjoy retirement for 32 years.

All of Don's family including children and grandchildren looked up to him and saw him as a pillar of strength, tough-as-nails, a fix-it-man, kind hearted, always thankful and quick with a smile to share.  Fly High Sweet Man, Fly High....

Survivors include his wife, Helen M. Shepardson Schuler; his children, Julie (Sandra) Schuler, Tamie (Jay) Judkins, Kathy Schuler, Diana (Phil) Calendo and Don Jr. (Kim) Schuler; grandchildren, Carrie Bath, Brian Billington, Somer (Mario) Serrano, Kristy Gum, Brett (Mary Taylor) Judkins, Josh Kurpius, Justin (Holly) Kurpius, Vincent (Brittany) Calendo, Alex (Alysa) Calendo, Tatyana Grace (Kobey Dodson) Calendo, Nathan (Casey) Schuler and Alyssa (Austin Henley) Schuler; great grandchildren, Riley Sutton, Peyton Sutton, Bethany Alexander, Jake Saarela, Noah Saarela, Macy Calendo, Maycin Schuler, Brayden Kurpius, Meadow Calendo, Cameron Calendo, Elsie Calendo, Olive Calendo, Hayes Calendo, Wren Schuler and Jack Judkins; and his brothers, Burr Schuler, Jim Schuler and Jon Schuler.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester H. Schuler and Geneva E. Schuler; his brothers, Bertrum Schuler, Gene Schuler, Dallas Schuler and Phil Schuler; a sister, Jesse Schuler and his grandson, Nicholas P. Calendo.

His visitation will be on Wednesday, Nov. 1st from 2:00-3:00 PM at the Butala Funeral Home, 1405 DeKalb Ave., Sycamore, IL. 60178.
The funeral service will begin at 3:00 PM at the funeral home with Rev. Gary Roca officiating.  Burial will follow at the Elmwood Cemetery.

To sign the online guest book, go to www.Butala Funeral Homes.com