Donald "Donn" R. Pries

Donald “Donn” R. Pries, 87 of Chicago Heights, Illinois, passed away on October 22, 2023.

Survived by his children: Nancy (Alan) Rafferty, Gregory (Thomas Chelius) Pries, Karen (Mike) Brackin, Gary (Lynn) Pries, Kevin (Dana) Pries, Laura (Tom) Erickson and Mark (Vicki) Pries.  Cherished Papa to: Sarah (Bryan) Pearson, Anna (Nick) Harper, Megan (Brandon) Simpson, Danny (Megan) Brackin, Catie (Dan) Rodriguez, Kevin (Megan) Pries, Angela (Will) Dunnett, Grace Erickson, Scott Pries, Annabelle (Daniel Shaw) Pries.  Treasured Great-Grandfather to: Jade, Madelyn, Audrey, Hailey, Riley, Sylvia, Alyse, Dominic, Giuliana, Hudson, Lyliana, D.J., Kacee.  Also survived by brother Richard (Sharon) Pries.

Preceded in death only seven months ago by his precious Bride of over 66 years Dorothy H. (nee Valek).  Also preceded in death by his parents Roy and Camilla, his brother Kenneth (Pam), and many other extended family and friends.

Growing up bilingual with Slovak Grandparents, Donn attended St. Paul Slovak Catholic Church and grammar school on Hungry Hill in Chicago Heights where he was an altar boy.  He attended St. Willibrord Catholic High School in Chicago.  He met the love of his life Dorothy Valek in 1956 on a blind date and they married the same year.  Donn had a big passion for family traditions, frequent parties with friends and family, and along with Dorothy was a very generous host, going above and beyond to create just the right “ambiance” for every occasion.  Given the nickname “Big Daddy” many years ago, he embraced that role with much enthusiasm, for example, spoiling his grandkids with secret donut deliveries he left on their front porches.  Donn was a truck driver for Hamm’s Beer, then Roadway Express. He was a proud Teamster.  Our most special family tradition began in 1963 when he purchased a boat and soon thereafter began the annual summer vacation at the same resort in Minocqua, Wisconsin.  But the most important part of his life was his beloved bride Dorothy.  He was so devoted to her that when she was gone, so was a part of him.

Memorial gathering and mass on November 4th from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at 11:30 a.m. at Kerr-Parzygnot Funeral Home 540 Dixie Hwy. (at Joe Orr Rd.), Chicago Heights, IL 60411  (708) 754-0016.  Inurnment Private:  Calvary Cemetery, Steger, Illinois.