OBITUARY FROM NW TIMES, AUGUST 29, 2013:
Donald J. Ittel, 79, of Hobart, passed away, Tuesday, August 27, 2013. Don was born on August 9, 1934 to Jacob and Catherine Ittel. Don graduated from Hobart High School in 1952 and then served in the U.S. Army as a helicopter mechanic and crew chief. He was owner and partner with his brother Gilbert in Ittel Realty and Insurance of Hobart for over 40 years. Don was a member of Trinity Lutheran Church and an active member of the Hobart Kiwanis Club. For many years, he served on the Board of Directors of the Hobart Chamber of Commerce and as Director of the Hobart Commercial and Industrial Foundation. Don was past President of the Hobart-East Gary Board of Realtors as well as Director, Past President and Lifetime member of the Hobart Jaycees. Most recently, Don was a member of the Hoosier Cushman Club, Cushman Club of America, and Mid-Ohio Classic Scooter Club. He was a 15-year member of the Vintage Motor Bike Club and a longtime member of the Microcar and Minicar Clubs, as well as the Vintage Microcar Club. Don was known to be a technical “Guru” and 20 year member of Chapter A Goldwing Road Riders Association. Don loved and restored cars and microcars; restoring over 150 scooters and bikes of all kinds, some of which are shown at the Kersting Museum in North Judson, IN. Two bikes are on display in the Barber Bike Museum in Birmingham, AL. Don was also an avid snowmobiler and once made a trip from Chicago to Canada. Don was very adventurous and took the family on many daytrips to Chicago for Cubs games and outings to the zoo and the many museums. He also enjoyed going to the cottage at Lake Shafer, camping adventures in the motorhome, and going to Florida. Don will be remembered as a loving husband and a great dad and grandfather.
Don is survived by his wife of over 53 years, Ruth Ann (nee Vician); son, Kurt J. Ittel (David Vazquez) of Thorntown, IN; daughter, Kathy A. Oswalt of Hobart; grandchild, Jerry D. Oswalt, III (Alyse Liebovich) of Chicago; brother, Gilbert Ittel of Engelwood, FL; and several nephews. He was preceded in death by his son, Mark J. Ittel; and his parents: Jacob and Catherine.
Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church, 900 Luther Drive, Hobart, IN 46342. A funeral service for Don will be held Saturday, August 31, 2013 at 11:00 a.m. at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., with Rev. Gary Nagy officiating. Burial will follow at Evergreen Memorial Park. Visitation for Don will be Friday, August 30, 2013 from 2:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a 4:00 p.m. Kiwanis service at Rees Funeral Home, Hobart Chapel, 600 W. Old Ridge Rd., (219) 942-2109 or go online at www.reesfuneralhomes.com.
This information was obtained from: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nwitimes/obituary.aspx?pid=166671388.