Naperville's Don Wehrli remembered for strong opinions, values

Donald E. “Don” Wehrli was a man with strong opinions and stronger family values, a heart for improving his community and a firsthand knowledge of much of Naperville's history.

A former city council member and founder of Naperville Trolley, Wehrli remained active in the city he loved until he died Sunday morning in his sleep after a battle with prostate cancer. He was 87.

“In all things he was certainly family first,” said his youngest son, Grant Wehrli, now a state representative. “He loved God, he loved his country, and I would put in front of those two, family.”

Wehrli grew up in Naperville as one of 13 children in the original Pre-Emption House where Sullivan's steakhouse now stands — a structure memorialized with a replica at the Naper Settlement. He was born Feb. 28, 1928, and attended Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic School before graduating from Naperville High School in 1946 and joining the Army.

Soon, Wehrli was building a large family of his own with his childhood sweetheart, Jean Knoch. The couple had seven children and Wehrli taught them all to trust in themselves, said one of his daughters, Mary Lou Wehrli, now a member of the DuPage County Forest Preserve commission.

“He always encouraged us that we could do anything,” she said. “There was never anything he approached, with himself or us, with much trepidation.”

Wehrli built a career in sales and enjoyed making others happy, along with gardening and golfing.

But when he served on the Naperville City Council from 1983 to 1987, his strong opinions sometimes drew opponents. It was a time of population explosion for the city and Wehrli wanted to provide fair and open housing but prevent growth from occurring too fast, said Gary Reese, president of Naperville Evening Kiwanis, of which Wehrli was a member for more than 25 years.

“He was very, I don't want to say outspoken, but very concerned about Naperville,” Reese said.

Others don't shy away from calling Wehrli outspoken.

“He exemplifies not only having an opinion but sharing it — not always at the most appropriate times,” Grant Wehrli said.

Wehrli was especially passionate about two issues, his daughter said — loss of open space at Central Park and protection of the DuPage River.

About those topics, he never went quiet. Last July, at age 86, he spoke for roughly 20 minutes at a council meeting about the history of the city, leading up to concerns about shrinking Central Park to allow parking.

“He understood the dynamics of conflicts and cooperations,” Mary Lou Wehrli said. “He tended, himself, to be perceived as more of a conflict than a cooperator, but he knew it took work and people paying attention to have a good community.”

Despite losing a bid for re-election, Wehrli continued to influence city council members and earn their respect.

“He brought honor to our city,” former Mayor George Pradel said. “He had his heart in the right place.”

Doug Krause, whose 26 years on the council just ended, said Wehrli taught him the importance of going in person to visit sites that would be affected by votes. And Paul Hinterlong, who is beginning his seventh year on the panel, said Wehrli taught him to take the pulse of the community.

“He told me when I was first elected six years ago, 'You're up there to listen,' and I have always kept that in my heart,” Hinterlong said.

In his retirement, Wehrli became the “Trolley Meister,” starting Naperville Trolley & Tours Ltd. in 1995 to help people celebrate happy occasions with rides around the city.

Wehrli is survived by his wife, his seven children — Mary Lou, Win, Fred, Jill, Francie, Annette and Grant — 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

Visitation is scheduled for 2 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Friedrich-Jones Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 44 S. Mill St., Naperville. A burial Mass is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday at Ss. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 36 N. Ellsworth St., Naperville, with interment to follow at Ss. Peter and Paul Cemetery.

Family members say casting a vote in all elections is one way to memorialize Wehrli and his belief in civic participation. Donations also can be made to the Century Walk Abraham Lincoln Sculpture at 34 W. Chicago Ave., Naperville, 60540, or to We Grow Dreams, 1055 W. Washington St., West Chicago, 60185.