Former South Elgin trustee, volunteer dies at 85

Donald Bone died Monday after spending the last several decades dedicating himself to South Elgin.

Bone, 85, served several terms on the village board, worked as the water commissioner, helped create the South Elgin Business Association, which has since been incorporated into the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce and was a member of the American Legion Post 57 and South Elgin Lions Club.

“So many people try to make a difference in their own way, but it’s not always easy for them,” said Ray Eaton, past president of the Lions Club. “Lion Don could do that effortlessly.”

Bone was a member of the Lions Club for more than 40 years, earning respect and admiration for his fundraising prowess. Allan Shelton, another Lion, said Bone was like a father to him, well-liked by those who knew him.

“People could be down,” Shelton said. “He’d come in, make one little comment and cheer everybody up. He had the knack of making a bad situation great.”

Bone served in the Army during World War II, joining the Elgin branch of the American Legion upon his return. His good friend and fellow veteran Don Sleeman said he was very active as a drummer in the Elgin Drum and Bugle Corps until it stopped in the 1950s.

For 66 years he participated in veteran service events and became a strong leader to his peers.

“He was one of those guys, when he got up to speak, people listened to him,” Eaton said.

Bone collected awards and recognitions from the groups he was in: he became a gold card member with the Legion, received the Melvin Jones Humanitarian Service Award from Lion International and just three years ago got the George Lazansky Distinguished Service Award for his time as a Lion.

Bone’s daughter Pam Benson said when he wasn’t working in the community he liked to fish. And for more than 60 years he devoted himself to his wife, Dorothy Robbins, who died in 2007.

Visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday and from 12:30 p.m. until 1 p.m. Friday, when services will begin at Laird Funeral Home, 310 S. State St., in Elgin. A burial with honors will follow in Lakewood Memorial Park in Elgin.