Donald Rose Obituary

Donald Francis Rose, 67 years of age and a current resident of Crystal Lake, Illinois, passed away on September 13, 2025.

He was born on June 12, 1958, in Detroit, Michigan, to the late Patritia M. (nee Knechtges) and Robert A. Rose. On October 6, 1979 he was united in marriage to Denise M. Toth. The two were blessed to spend over 45 years together.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Denise, children Christopher (Luisa Montgomery), Daniel (Lucy), Timothy (Erin), William (Allison) and Jessica (Arthur) Lewis, grandchildren Brett, Leah, Daniel, Molly, Maria, Austin, Avery, Colbie, Henry, Maya and Jordan, his brothers Bob (Marni), Paul (Sandy), Mark (Marianne), John (Kim) and sisters Mary Pat (Alan) Forsyth, Barbara Rose, and Sue (Ron) Heemstra, many nieces and nephews, other relatives, and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, grandson Joseph, and nephews David Rose and David Rossow.

Don spent his youth in Ann Arbor, Michigan, and developed a lifelong passion for the University of Michigan Wolverines and Detroit sports franchises. He wouldn’t hesitate to regale you with memories of the Tigers’ “Roar of ‘84” World Series run or offer opinions of how the Lions could turn things around this year.

After moving to Fox River Grove, Illinois, in 1989 Don immediately became a beloved and integral fixture of the community. He was a member of the School District 3 school board and FRG Rec Council for many years. He formed lasting friendships and found great joy in playing in the FRG softball league and coaching youth baseball and basketball, taking the initiative to assemble travel teams and schedule games when he realized such programs didn’t exist.

He was a nature lover and parlayed his fondness for travel and the outdoors into country-spanning family road trips and camping excursions. He appreciated good food, smooth jazz, and sappy TV movies. He was enamored with trains and loved working on his model train layout. He loved to work with his hands and jumped at any opportunity to build, repair, or redesign a new project. Family was most important to him. He was a loving, kind, generous, and supportive husband, father, grandfather, brother, and uncle. His heart forever lay with the village of Fox River Grove, and even after moving away he considered the community there not just friends, but family.

A visitation will be held on Sunday, September 21, 2025, from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m., at Davenport Family Funeral Home, 419 E. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014). The following day a funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave., Crystal Lake, IL 60014; followed by private interment at Windridge Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Michael J. Fox Research Foundation (https://www.michaeljfox.org), Make-A-Wish (https://wish.org/illinois) or Three Angels Haiti (www.threeangelshaiti.org).