Donald F. McGirk

Donald was born September 24th, 1927 in Dubuque, Iowa, the son of James Leo McGirk and Mary (Leuchs) McGirk. He grew up in Dubuque and attended Holy Ghost and Senior High School. Donald proudly served in the United States Navy at the end of World War II and the Korean War. He served in the Philippine Islands, Kwajalein (Marshall Islands), and Japan.

Donald met the love of his life, Leona Beohm, while working at the Telegraph Herald in Dubuque. They married September 5th, 1953 in Dubuque, Iowa at Nativity Catholic Church. They moved to Rockford, Illinois where Donald worked for many years at the Rockford Register Star (1957-1970) as a linotype machinist, as well as at the Elgin Courier news (1970-1977), and then eventually retiring from Warner-Lambert (1991).

Donald was a faithful member of Saint Rita’s Catholic Church. He enjoyed doing yard work, swimming at Howard Johnson’s, reading, traveling with Leona, and everything Irish. Most of all, Donald adored his family and loved spending time with each and every one of them.

Donald is loved and missed by his wife of 69 years, Leona; children, Patrick (Cindy) McGirk, Michael (Dawn) McGirk, David (Lori) McGirk, Kathleen (Richard) Olson, and Daniel (Paula) McGirk; sixteen grandchildren, Sage (Karen) McGirk, John (Darrin Broadwater) McGirk, Braydyn (Nathan) Dingess, Megan (Scott) Evans, Jordan (Linda Johnson) McGirk, Tessa (Daniel) Bressler, Dale (Casandra Johnson-McGirk) McGirk, Teresa (Michael) Norris, Ryan (Jenna) Olson, Brent (Moira) Olson, Zachary, Baillie, Hayden, Ryleigh McGirk, PJ, and Kaitlyn Dal Pra; six great-grandchildren, Benjamin and Emma Evans, Leia McGirk, Aidan and Max Olson, Graham Olson, and one on the way (Baby Dingess). He is survived by numerous loving nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers, Merlin (Frances) McGirk, Harold McGirk, Arthur McGirk, and great-granddaughter, Grace Evans.

A private family service will be held at Sunset Funeral Home.