Francis "Honk" Donald Wahl

Francis Donald Wahl, 83 better known to family and friends as “Honk” passed away Easter Sunday, April 21, 2019 at Heritage Health and Senior Care.

He is survived by his wife Pat of 59 interesting years, 2 daughters Sherri A. Hexum of Dunlap and Laurie Frances (Kyle) Gronewold of Streator, 4 grandchildren, Blake E. Hexum of Denver, CO, Alanna P. Rodrick of Chicago, Brandon M. Hexum of Lake Ozark, MO and Troy A. Rodrick of Bloomington.  Also surviving are sisters-in-law, Joyce Wahl, Bonnie Madara, Ruth Madara, Marge Chenniliaro, Patricia A. Wahl, Judy Madara, brothers-in-law Albert (Jr) Fialko and William Brandt and many nieces and nephews.

Honk was born on a very cold winter day, at home on December 19, 1935.  He attended St. Anthony grade school, where he served as an altar boy for many years.  He graduated from Streator High School in 1953. He served in the US Army from Jan of 1959 to Jan. 1961.  He married Patricia L. Madara on September 26, 1959, and they lived in Fitchburg MA, while in the Army at the Ft. Devens MA.  He was employed by the Santa Fe Railroad for 37 years as a rate and revising clerk. Honk was the lasts of his immediate family. He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Polly Wahl, sisters and brothers-in-law, Helen (Jack) Myers, Florence (Eddie) Jacoby, Loretta (Jim) Hindert, Pauline Brandt and Phyllis Fialko, brothers Raymond and Fred Wahl, sisters-in-law and husbands Rita Robinson, Florence (Dewayne) Haas, Marian (John) Cavanaugh, Betty Ann (Jesse) Winebriner, brothers-in-law Sam Chenniliaro, John, Ralph, Gene and Jim (Judy) Madara.

Honks hobbies were fishing, mushroom hunting, gardening and anything outdoors.  He was happy to see the Chicago Cubs win the World Series. He enjoyed all Chicago sports teams.  He loved to take kids fishing.

A visitation will be held Tuesday (April 23, 2019) from 4 – 7 PM with the rosary recited at 7 PM at the Winterrowd Funeral Home.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday (April 24, 2019) at 11:30 at the St. Michael the Archangel Church with Fr. Ryan Mattingly officiating.  Burial will be in St. Anthony’s Cemetery with full military honors conducted by members of the Streator American Legion and VFW. Serving as pallbearers will be grandsons Blake and Brandon Hexum, Troy Rodrick, nephews Daniel Madara, Ralph Madara Jr. and Frank Wahl.  Honorary pallbearers will be granddaughter Alanna Rodrick and son-in-law Kyle Gronewold.

Memorials may be made to the National Psoriatic Arthritis Foundation, Alzheimer’s Research or a charity of the donor’s choice.