Donald F. O'Hea

Donald (Don) Francis O’Hea passed peacefully on August 1, 2025, at the age of 92. At the time of his passing, Don was surrounded by his wife and family, who gratefully share a few of our favorite memories below.

Don was born on February 15, 1933, to Alex and Lorraine (Noel) O’Hea. He grew up in Dubuque, Iowa, attending St. Columbkille grade and high school. Following his parents’ passing, Don left high school to care for his siblings, and he eventually pursued a career in the United States Air Force. Don served as a B-47 Jet Bomber Crew Chief from 1953-1957 with the Strategic Air Command at Lockbourne Air Force Base in Columbus, Ohio.

On a visit home from Lockbourne, Don had the exceptional good fortune to meet Colleen Cahill, who grew up a few blocks from him, although they had not met as kids. Don and Colleen were in a wedding party for mutual friends, where Colleen – against all odds – was smitten, and she agreed to a first date. Don and Colleen married on September 7, 1957, at St. Columbkille, and they built a beautiful life over their 67 years together.

Don’s time in the Air Force inspired a life-long passion for the aviation industry. After Don left the service, he and Colleen moved to California, where Don graduated from Northrop Aeronautical Institute in Inglewood, California in 1958. He worked in aviation for 43 years before retiring from Raytheon Aircraft Services in Rockford, Illinois in 1996. He also received the Charles Taylor Master Mechanic Award from the Federal Aviation Administration for 50 years of service in the industry. Post-retirement, Don could often be found enjoying local air shows with his friends and family and tinkering at his work bench with several projects and new ideas. Don and Colleen always called their grandchildren before any trip – Colleen to let them know she prayed to St. Christopher for safe travels and Don to ask what type of plane they would be on. We will miss these calls dearly.

Retirement was just the beginning for Don, he delved into his hobbies and volunteering with gusto. Don was an avid woodworker and golfer, often playing with Colleen. He enjoyed crosswords and spent his weekends cheering for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears. He was a joyful member of a VetsRoll trip to Washington DC. He was a proud member of his neighborhood potluck group and local poker group. He volunteered with Illinois Growth Enterprises (now Bridgeway) refurbishing computers for local schools, and worked with the St. Vincent De Paul supper group to provide meals to the needy in his community. He was a longtime member of St. Bernadette Catholic Church, serving as an Usher and Eucharistic Minister. He was also a member of The Holy Name Society at St. Bernadette’s.

One retirement accomplishment stands out among the rest. Because Don left high school early, he never earned his high school diploma. So, Don decided to go back to school for his GED, which he received in May 2003. Don did not need the diploma for work – he was retired at the time – he simply decided this was something he wanted to accomplish in his life, and so he did it. This was so Don O’Hea, a man of principle, grit, and determination. His family fondly remembers watching him walk across the stage at his graduation day.

Don was many things – veteran, mechanic, late-in-life high-school graduate – but the thing he was absolutely the best at, and his most cherished job, was being a loving husband, father, and grandfather. Family was so important to Don – and Don was so important to his family. He never missed a birthday, recital, graduation, or game. The depth of this loss is vast, but it is only because we loved Don – our dad and grandpa – so deeply.

Don is survived by his wife, Colleen; children, Michael (Theresa) O’Hea, James (Liz) O’Hea, and Kathleen (Steve) Wardell; siblings, LouAnn O’Hea, Mary McGrath and numerous nieces and nephews; his grandchildren, Olivia (Justin) O’Hea, Natalie (Emily) O’Hea, Emily Wardell, Joe Wardell, Erika Carlson, Evan O’Hea, and Eric O’Hea. He is predeceased by his parents, Alex and Lorraine O’Hea; siblings, Delmer O’Hea, Jerry O’Hea, Lois Stelken, and Jeanette O’Hea; and his very special aunt, Fannie O’Hea.

His family would like to thank the amazing caregivers at OSF Rockford and FHN hospitals, East Bank Center, Visiting Angels of Rockford, and Manor Court of Freeport.

A visitation and memorial Mass will be held on Friday, September 12, 2025 at St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Ave., Rockford, Illinois 61103. The visitation will begin at 9:30 AM, with Mass starting at 10:30 AM, and a luncheon immediately after the mass. Following the luncheon, Don will be interred at Scottish Argyle Cemetery in Caledonia, Illinois 61101. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to:

• National Council on Severe Autism – www.ncsautism.org
• Breakthrough T1D: Type 1 Diabetes – www.breakthrought1d.org
• VetsRoll, Beloit, Wisconsin – www.vetsroll.org
• St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 2400 Bell Avenue, Rockford, Illinois 61103