Donald Joseph Newberry

Donald Newberry, beloved husband of Ruth Newberry (deceased), passed away on June 11, 2023, at his residence in NorthPointe Terrace in Roscoe, Illinois. He was 93 years old. Don was born to Clementine (Hintgen) and George M. Newberry on May 30, 1930 in Rock Island, Illinois. Donald spent his first eight years in Rock Island until his family moved to Freeport, Illinois in 1939. During this time his father established a paint and wallpaper store at 22 West Main Street that eventually became a well-established business until it closed in 1997. Donald had spent most of his childhood and adult life in Freeport and had attended St. Mary’s grade school and Aquin High School. He graduated from Aquin in 1948. Donald began working at the paint and Wallpaper store in his early teens and spent almost his entire working years at the store. There was only a three-year interval when he did not work at the store, and that was when he served in the US Air Force from 1950-1953 during the Korean War. While in the military, Don spent time training in Colorado and later served at airbases in Texas and Saudi Arabia. While in the states, Don met his future love of his life, Ruth, in 1950. One year later, he and Ruth got married on November 3, 1951, at Nativity Church in Dubuque, Iowa. When his military service was over, Don returned to help his dad and his brother George run the family retail store. Don eventually became the owner of the business after his father retired, and he worked there until his own retirement in 1997. Throughout this time, the Newberry Paint Store was always noted for its customer service and the personal care Don and his family provided to their customers. Donald was also an active member of the Amvets, the VFW, and the Knights of Columbus Council in Freeport, and he served in various roles of office in his tenure with the Knights of Columbus. Donald loved God, his family, and his parish of St. Mary’s where he and his wife were active members throughout most of their lives. After moving to Roscoe, he became an active member of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Roscoe, Il until his death. Donald was also proud of his service to his country and he would often help the Amvets place the flags along Park Blvd. for the holidays until he was well into his eighties. He was a great husband who cherished his wife, a father devoted to his family, and a good, trustworthy friend to all who knew him.

Donald is survived by his six children: Mark (Ritsuko) Newberry of Madison, WI, Michael (Margaret) Newberry of Roscoe, IL, Joy (Cliff) Hester of Savannah, GA, Judy (Charles) Kjeldgaard of Council Bluffs, IA, David (Kim) Newberry of Colorado Springs, CO, and Christopher (Tammy) Newberry of New Glarus, WI; fourteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one sister, Patricia Collins and one brother, George Richard Newberry.

There will be a rosary service and an open casket visitation at Burke-Tubbs Funeral home in Freeport on Wednesday, June 14th, from 4:00-7:00pm. The rosary service will begin at 4:00pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held the following day on June 15th at 11:00am at St. Mary’s Church in Freeport with Father Robert Camacho, officiating. A visitation period will take place from 10:00-11:00am before the mass. The burial service and internment will take place at Calvary Cemetery after the mass. A memorial has been established in his memory at St. Mary’s Church. Online condolences can be shared on the Burke-Tubbs funeral site.