Donald E Engstrom

Donald E. Engstrom, 93 of Moline, IL, died Friday, September 14, 2012, at his home. Visitation will be Wednesday, September 19th, from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m., at Wendt Funeral Home in Moline. Funeral services will be Thursday, September 20th, at 10:30 a.m., at First Congregational Church, 2201 - 7th Avenue, Moline. Burial will be in Rock Island Memorial Park Cemetery, Rock Island, IL. Donald E. Engstrom was born in Moline on August 6, 1919, to Elmer and Helen (Anderson) Engstrom. On October 23, 1948, in Rock Island, he married Henrietta June Freitag, who survives. He was a graduate of Moline High School, Augustana College, St. Louis University (Parks Air College School of Aviation), and did graduate work at Denver University. He served in the Army Air Corps during WWII. After graduating from the Aviation Cadet program at Yale University, he first served as a Maintenance Engineering Officer in the Air Transport Command, and later as a Flight Engineer on B-29s. After his discharge in 1945, he joined TWA as a Flight Engineer on their international run. In 1949, he returned to Moline to join Mutual Wheel Company, with his father, in their Sales Department. In 1952, he was named President and C.E.O., retiring in 1990. During his tenure, Mutual Wheel Company grew from one Moline location, to nine branches in Illinois and Iowa. He served on the Board and served as President of the Augustana Alumni Association, the Two Rivers YMCA, and the Moline Exchange Club. He was a Republican Precinct Committeeman for 20 years, and Campaign Manager for State Representative Donald Henss. He was President of the Heavy Duty Division of the Automotive Service Industry Association, and served on the Association Board of Directors. He was a member of Advisory Councils for Bendix Corporation, Rockwell International, and Dayton Steel Foundries. He was a member of First Congregational Church, where he taught Sunday School, served on the Church Council, and chaired the Board of Trustees. He was a golfing member of Short Hills Country Club for over 50 years. After retirement, he and June built a home in Boca Grande, FL, where they wintered for more than 20 years, and enjoyed entertaining family and friends. Don's family was the most important part of his life. In addition to June, his wife of 63 years, survivors include: three sons: David (Staci) Engstrom of East Moline, Richard (Barbara) Engstrom of Moline, and Robert (Pamela) Engstrom of Hampton, IL; six grandchildren: Monica (Joe) VanVooren, Daniel, Maude, Emma, Lani, and Britta Engstrom; a great-grandson, Bobbie Chiarelli; and three step-grandchildren: Logan and Haley Eckhardt, and Brittani (Dustin) Woods. He was preceded in death by his parents: Elmer and Helen Engstrom, parents-in-law: Henry and Lucille Freitag, and a brother-in-law, Robert E. Freitag. Memorials may be made to Two Rivers YMCA, to Arrowhead Ranch, or to the First Congregational Church.

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