Obituary of Donald Tjader Sr.

Donald William Tjader, 87, of Winthrop Harbor,  Illinois passed away August 21, 2023 at Advocate Condell Medical Center in Libertyville, Illinois surrounded by family.

He was born September 12, 1935 in Harvey, Illinois to William and Jennie (Noxon) Tjader. He attended Zion Benton Township High School until the age of 17 when he married his high school sweetheart Violet (Falk) on June 6, 1953 in Tremont, Mississippi. Through his career he enjoyed being a heavy equipment operator for Local 150; partnered with one of his best friends, Robert (Bobby) Walldan, in ownership of TAW, Inc. Donald also worked with his other best friend, Kenton Marquiss, for a time, with the City of Zion Street Department.

Don’s hobbies included bow hunting; buying, fixing, and selling automobiles; coin collecting; traveling and sight seeing around the country; spoiling his grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Don is survived by his children, Don (Jill) Tjader Jr., Connie Howard, Pat Tjader, Pamela (Kandall) Swedberg; grandchildren, Don (Jiying) Tjader III, Jennifer Kim, Deanna (Joe) DeCavitch, Courtney (Andy) Saffran, Ashley Howard, Kyle (Kim Newcomb) Howard, David Swedberg, Aaron Swedberg, Mikala Swedberg; great-grandchildren, Audrina (Tim), Jacinda, Zoe, Shaelei, Lukas, Lennix, Ruth, Don-don (IV), Wesson, Colton, Paszo, Haven; great-great-grandchild, Leo; sister Janet Wilson; brother David Tjader; sister-in-law Ingrid Tjader; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his loving wife of 65 years, Violet; parents William and Jennie Tjader; siblings, Dorothy (Norm) Stofferahn, Warren Tjader, Richard (Bette) Tjader, Jean (Robert) Johnson; brother-in-law Lyle Wilson; nephew Tim Johnson and great nephew Trent Yecoshenko.

A chapel service will be held Saturday September 2, 2023 at Mount Olivet Memorial Park 1436 Kenosha Rd, Zion, IL 60099 at 10:00 a.m.

A luncheon visitation will be held directly following burial at First Christian Church 13022 Wilmot Road (Highway C) Kenosha WI, 53142.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to Engage Africa, 2330 Robin Lane Elgin, Illinois 60123 engageafrica.com

To plant a beautiful memorial tree in memory of Donald Tjader Sr., please visit our Tree Store