Donald J. Ellwood, 94, of Galena, IL, died Tuesday morning, April 9, 2024. A funeral service will be held at 12:30 PM, Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at the Furlong Funeral Chapel, Galena, where friends may call after 11 AM until the time of service. Burial will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery, Galena. He was born July 18, 1929, in Bellwood, IL, the only son of Howard and Sheila (Recobs) Ellwood. He is joining Nancy (Feltes), his wife of fifty-seven years, who preceded him in death in 2006. They were married on May 14, 1949, at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church, Chicago, and had eleven children. Don served as a Captain in the Chicago Fire Department and retired after forty years of service. He enjoyed his hobbies and his art. Don was a talented watercolorist, stained glass craftsman, and furniture maker. He and Nancy were avid antique collectors and operated several shops in Galena over the years. Don was a member of The Shannon Rovers Irish Pipe Band, where he participated in many public and private events and earned the title Emeritus. It is said that when he practiced the bagpipes, he could be heard throughout the Galena countryside. Donald will be sadly missed. He is survived by eight of his eleven children, Kathleen (Keith) Fowler, Jaclyn (William) Houy, Kevin (Martha) Ellwood, John (Lauren) Ellwood, Brian (Donna) Ellwood, Thomas (Tim Clarke) Ellwood, Margaret (Paul) Graziano, Sheila (John) Bellizzi, a daughter-in-law, Margie Ellwood, twenty-eight grandchildren and twenty-three great-grandchildren, and his companion Karen Kumbera and loving uncle to his many nieces, and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, and three children, Peggy, Timothy, and Gregory. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to your favorite charity in Don’s memory.
Donald Ellwood
God bless all your family and may He keep you all in His loving care.
He certainly lived a wonderful life with so much love always surrounding him. I will forever remember their homes in Park Ridge and the city and the beauty they brought to it with their love for their antiques and his handmade furniture. His legacy will live on through his wonderful family.
I am so sorry for the loss of your father. Sending prayers and love to you all.
Our thoughts and prayers go out to the Ellwood family on Don’s passing. I always remember Don as a fireman’s fireman. A family man who loved his family and possessed an Irish humor. Him and Dad drinking beer in Galena at Dillions tap. Taking the kids to tastee freeze on U.S. 20. Good times. God bless, rest in peace Don.
Sorry for the entire family. What a tribute to him and your mom ..all the descendents listed. Regards and Love Trina and Mike Garcia
Love to all of the family. Don’s was a life well lived, and filled with family and friends.
Thinking of you.
Our sincerest condolences to you all! Such a wonderful family; such a legacy left. Don was our longtime Dewey/ Broadway/Shear Street neighbor. He was always tooling around outside, planting his gorgeous flowers and playing bagpipes that we’d hear all the way down the valley.
Here’s to Don. “There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be .”
Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this sad time.
May Don rest in peace.
Sincerely,
John & Mary Grealy & Family
PLEASE ACCEPT OUR SINCERE CONDOLENCES. OUR THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU AT THIS DIFFICULT TIME.
MUCH LOVE,
I will never forget that chance meeting with you and your bride that day in Milan. May God Guard and Guide your family and friends in their loss
What a beautiful well-lived life. A very long marriage of 57 years! All those children and wonderful grandchildren. The world is a better place having Don in it.