Donald E. Van Hoozer

Donald E. Van Hoozer, 90, of Ottawa, passed away Friday, December 22, 2023 at the Illinois Veteran's Home in La Salle.

Visitation will be from 10:00am until 12:00pm Saturday, December 30, at Ottawa Funeral Home. A funeral ceremony officiated by Darin Jones, will take place at 12:00pm at the funeral home. Burial with military honors will follow at Oakwood Memorial Park.

Donald was born July 5, 1933, in Ottawa, IL, to Victor and Mae (Albee) Van Hoozer. He attended Ottawa Grade School and High School. He went to work at U.S. Silica and then joined the United States Air Force in 1952 and served for 4 years. He returned to work at U.S. Silica working as the maintenance foreman for 37 years. He married Margery A. Weidner in 1953, together they had 5 children.

He enjoyed riding and working on everyone's motorcycles, going snowmobiling and off road racing. He was a lifetime member of the Variety Riders Motorcycle Club. He was also inducted into the LaSalle County Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Today he is survived by his wife of 70 years, Margery Van Hoozer; his children, Donald L. (Dante) Van Hoozer, Richard A. (Colleen) Van Hoozer, Cindy L. (Kurt) Van Hoozer Callahan; and Sebby L. (James "Jim") Van Hoozer McKee; his grandchildren, Adam, Kori, Bradley, Brian, Douglas, Karie, Tyler, Mallory, and Mackenzie; and his great grandchildren, Kayleb, Camryn, Costner, Gabriel, Emily, and Hansen.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his son, Victor Raymond Van Hoozer, who died shortly after birth; his daughter in law, Evelyn Van Hoozer; and his siblings, Bobby, Dorothy, Betty, Jerry, and Larry.

Pallbearers will be John Aicher, Kurt Callahan, Eddie Martin III, Jim Mckee, Jeff Olenburg, and Doug Shumway. Honorary pallbearers will be Adam Van Hoozer, Tyler Brady, Brian Van Hoozer, Doug Van Hoozer, Dave Kerwell, and Dave Brewer.

Memorials may be directed to the Illinois Veteran's Home in La Salle or to St. Jude.