MINOOKA, Ill. — Mr. Donald Joseph Nugent, 79, of Normal, Ill., and formerly of Minooka, Ill., and Woodruff, Wis., passed away Wednesday, Sept. 26, 2012, at Leroy Manor Health Care Center in Leroy, Ill.
Born July 7, 1933, in Joliet, Ill., Don was a son of the late James and Barbara Cecile Howard-Nugent. He was a graduate of Joliet Catholic High School, attended Joliet Junior College, earned his undergraduate degree from Lewis University, and attained his master’s degree from Governors State University.
Don was a Veteran of the United States Army, having honorably served during the Korean Conflict. On Oct. 7, 1961, he married Patricia Ann Mauer in Saint Charles Catholic Church in Bensenville. She preceded him in death on Aug. 8, 2008.
Don taught at Saint Rose School in Wilmington, Ill., prior to gaining a position with the Channahon School District, for which he taught fourth and fifth grade, as well as physical education, from 1963 to 1994, when he retired. After retirement, Don also continued to substitute teach through 2001.
A former member of Saint Mary’s Catholic Church in Minooka, Don enjoyed fishing, reading and watching, as well as playing, sports. He loved being involved with his children and grandchildren’s activities, and will be remembered for his tremendous love of teaching.
Survivors include three children, John (Teri) Nugent of Minooka, Donald Nugent of Lake in the Hills, Ill., and Patricia Nugent, Ph.D. of Normal, Ill.; four grandchildren, Elizabeth and Mike Underhill of Normal, and Ashlyn and Taylor Nugent of Minooka; one sister, Barbara Nugent of Wilmington; four brothers-in-law, Donald Russell of Wilmington, Robert Kahler of Missouri, Robert (Christine) Mauer of Normal, and Charles (Karen) Mauer of Olympia, Wash.; and one sister-in-law, Susan (Anthony) Perrone of Palatine, Ill.; as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Patricia; two sisters, Kathleen Kahler and Peggy Russell; three brothers, James (Jean) Nugent, Jack Nugent and Jerry (Jean) Nugent; his daughter-in-law, Denise Nugent; and two nephews, Jim Nugent and Tim Russell.
Visitation and video tribute will be from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, at Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home, 700 East Kahler Road, Wilmington.
Funeral services will follow at 10:45 a.m. Monday, Oct. 1, from the funeral home, processing to Saint Rose Catholic Church, 624 South Kankakee St., Wilmington, where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:15 a.m., with the Rev. Steve Bondi and Deacon Don Dyer officiating.
Burial will be in Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, with military honors being conducted at 12:30 p.m.
Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Don’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association.
Friends may sign the online guestbook or send private condolences to the family by logging onto www.FRBfuneral.com.
Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the direction and care of Freitag-Reeves & Baskerville Funeral Home in Wilmington. For additional informaiton, call the funeral home at (815) 476-2181.
