Donald Lee Wike

Donald Lee Wike, 86, of Joliet, IL, peacefully passed at his home on December 24, 2023.

Don was born on October 2, 1937 to Allen and Pearl (Scott) Wike in Kell, IL.

Don and his long-loving wife of 65 years Ardith (Ardy) attended grade school together at Forest Park Elementary and started dating later on when they both lived on The Hill. They wed on July 26, 1958, going on to have four children: Denise, Dawn, Paul and Doreen. Don and Ardy have seven grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Don started his working career at Lucenta Tire for a few months before working at Kerr Glass from 1958 to 1966. He then worked at AGA. Gas (previously known as Joliet Welding Supply) for 33 years. He retired from AGA in 1999. Don was a longtime teamster of Local 179 and was an avid bowler.

Don was the epitome of kindness and treated everyone like family. He was like a father to even his grandchildren and he was a hard worker who taught himself how to be a handyman before the age of YouTube. Don loved kids and always had a special gift with getting even the fussiest of babies to fall asleep. There isn’t anything he wouldn’t do for his family.

Anyone who knew Don knew that he was the most loving father, husband, grandfather and friend that anyone could ask for. Don was predeceased by parents Pearl Scott and Allan Wike and siblings Juanita, John, Byron, Ralph and Bob and grandson-in-law Robert Drake. Don is survived by his wife Ardith (Macak) Wike, children Denise Townsend, Dawn Nelson, Paul Wike (Theresa) and Doreen Chandler, grandchildren Danielle Guzman (Ray), Salina Marshall (Jon), Diondra Wike, Marissa Medina, Jared Wike (Danielle), Kayla Townsend and Frank Chandler; great-grandchildren Ayanna Guzman-Nguyen (Justin), Kalisa and Shaun Judge, Jr., Alexandria Guzman, Rylee, Damien and Easton Drake, Amaia Love, Jonathan Marshall, Jr. and Zoe Wike; and two great-great-grandchildren Ever Nguyen and Aayla Newton.

The family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to the Lightways Hospice for their exceptional care and love during the last nine months.

 There will be a visitation on Saturday, December 30 from 3:00-6:00 p.m. with a memorial service at 5:30 p.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home at 1500 Black Rd., Joliet, IL 60435.  Family and friends are invited to view the memorial service live by clicking this link https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcwMzcxNjA2MDI4NzUzNiZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==