Donald E. Gehrling, Jr.

Donald "Don" E. Gehrling Jr., aged 64, went out with a bang on the Fourth of July. He ultimately passed away at the hospital with his two spectacular children and their cousins by his side.

Don was the beloved father to Heather (Jay), Bryan, and the late Jeremy. He was the cherished son of Diane and the late Donald Sr. He was the adored Papa of Kayla, Dakota, and AJ. He was a dear brother to Dennis (Manuela), Douglas (Lisa), and the late Dr. Denise Gehrling (Rich). He was the one-of-a-kind Uncle D to Dennis Pio (Cece), Diane (Frank), Danielle, Douglas, Jeanne, Katie, Mike, and Maxine. He was a great uncle, cousin, and all the things to all the rest of ya... and he was "one of the boys" to so very many.

Don was many things: a lover of all things mechanical, a collector of motorcycles, a builder of tree forts, a dancer extraordinaire, an Old Style aficionado, adored by The Royal Flush Girls, and a teller of the longest joke you'll never remember.

 He dedicated decades to meticulous and ingenious problem-solving in the field of injection molding.

Don often said that people told him that he'd be dead or in jail by 25; well, he pert-near made it to 65, and he had fun doing it.

Family and friends will gather for visitation on Wednesday 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Funeral Thursday, 10:00 a.m. at the Palos-Gaidas Funeral Home 11028 Southwest Hwy. Palos Hills, IL 60465.  Service 11:00 a.m. Interment Holy Sepulchre Cemetery 

Please express your thoughts and memories in the online guest book at www.palosgaidasfh.com. Why wouldn't ya?