DONALD W. OLIVER, Jr.

STRONG, OLIVER, KOHL, MCWILLIAMS, TAUKE, WOOLHETHER

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 5/31/2003 at 09:35:39

Donald W. Oliver Jr.

Telegraph Herald - Sunday, May 4, 2003

Donald W. Oliver Jr., 54, of 1444 Tomahawk Drive, died Friday, May 2, 2003, at home, after a courageous battle with metastatic melanoma (cancer).

Services will be at 11 a.m. Tuesday at St. Columbkille's Catholic Church. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery, Key West, Iowa, where military rites will be accorded by the American Legion Post 6 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9663. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at Hoffmann-Schneider Funeral Home, 1640 Main St.

He was born on July 21, 1948, in Dubuque, the eldest son of Donald and M. Delores (Strong) Oliver.

After graduating from Wahlert High School in 1966, he enlisted in the Air Force, proudly serving his country in the Vietnam War from 1966-1970.

Upon his return, he married Linda Kohl on Jan. 23, 1971. Together, they raised two children, Nicole Marie, born on Nov. 6, 1976, and Aaron William, born on Aug. 21, 1981.

He began his career as a toolmaker at the former John Deere Dubuque Works on April 1, 1970. After many years of service, he made the decision to further his education. He enrolled at the University of Dubuque, graduating in 1993 with a bachelor's degree in business administration. His employment continued at John Deere until March 31, 2000, when he retired after 30 years of service.

Although he always said, "retirement wasn't for everybody," he settled right in to it. He found several hobbies, including woodworking and carpentry. He created many things with his hands and with his heart that grace the homes of his family and friends today.

He also volunteered at The Tool Library and was the resident "handy man" at the Moracco Supper Club.

Surviving are his wife, Linda Oliver; his children, Nicole (Robert) McWilliams, of Davenport, Iowa, and Aaron, of Dubuque; his parents, Donald and M. Delores Oliver; his mother-in-law, Helen Kohl; five siblings, Connie (Paul) Tauke and Brian (Emily) Oliver, both of Dubuque, Sharon (Mark) Woolhether, of Fond du Lac, Wis., Daniel (Penny) Oliver, of Brooksville, Fla., and Martin Oliver, of Chicago; a dear friend of the family, David Bailey; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins, all who love him and will miss him very much.

Mr. Oliver was greeted in heaven by his grandparents, Hugh and Agnes Strong and William and Erna Oliver; his father-in-law, Jules Kohl; and a brother-in-law, Timothy Kohl.

In lieu of flowers, a Donald W. Oliver Memorial Fund has been established.

We, the family, would like to thank all of those who have provided such wonderful support, kind words, warm meals and heartfelt prayers during this time. To all the friends who dropped by to visit, your companionship meant more to him than you could ever know. We also would like to thank Dr. Kukla and his staff at The Finley Hospital cancer ward for the loving care you provided, not only to Don, but to the entire family.