Dr. Donald W. Ourada, of Western Springs, Illinois, passed away on December 16, 2021, in Holland Michigan at the age of 92.
Don was born June 30, 1929, in Riverside Illinois. He had many jobs in high school and college and attended the University of Illinois from 1947 – 1949 in the pre-dentist Curriculum. He was part of the Kappa Delta Roe fraternity in Champaign Illinois. He attended Northwestern University dental school 1949 -1953 and was part of the PSI OMEGA fraternity.
He met his wife Diane (Dee) Cervin in 1952 and in his words “it was the best thing that ever happened to me.” They were married on Memorial Day 1953.
Don reported for active duty in the United States Air Force in 1953. He was assigned permanent duty in Alexandria, Louisiana, and was a dentist for pilots and airmen with the 366th Tactical Air Command, Three Squadron Fighter Bomber Wing under the 4458th Medical Group and was released from active duty in 1955. He made many good friends from all over the United States and they enjoyed their time in Louisana.
Don owned his own dental practice in La Grange, Illinois for 34 years. He sold his practice in 1987 to Dr. Jim Maragos who has kept this practice thriving and successful. Don and Jim have become wonderful friends. Don and Dee lived in Western Springs since 1969 and also owned a condo in Carefree, Arizona. Don and Dee joined Christ Church of Oak Brook Illinois in 1970 and he served as an elder, usher, chairman of the membership committee, worked with the men’s breakfast, and went on several mission trips. This church, its leadership, and the whole church family were very important to the spiritual life of his family. Don and Dee shared 40 wonderful years together. Dee sadly passed away on October 13, 1993.
Don is survived by his son, Gary (Carol) Ourada, grandson David (Kristina) Ourada, granddaughter Lisa (Cameron) Nixon. Don’s daughter Pam (Mitch) Van Putten, grandson Grant (Kate) Van Putten, granddaughter Laura, and great-grandson Merrick, all of Michigan.
Don also had 22 wonderful years with his best friend Elizabeth (Betty) Pepich. They traveled to the Caribbean, Baltic, Mediterranean, Panama Canal, French Polynesia, and Bermuda and had wonderful times with family and friends.
Betty passed away November 2020 and is survived by her three children, Steve and Kristina Pepich, Gena and Jeff Andraeson, and Juli and Steve Konroyd, and 11 grandchildren and one great-grandson. Each of them was a very wonderful part of his life.
For the last few months of his life, Don had the privilege of living in Holland, Michigan at the Warm Friend. He met wonderful residents, enjoyed the kind of staff, and enjoyed drinking chocolate shakes.
Memorial donations may be made to Resthaven’s the Warm Friend at 5 E. 8th St., Holland, MI 49423.
In his own words, “I hope to live out my life in a happy, useful, productive way enjoying friends and family with much gratitude for all my blessings. My advice is to always be grateful, especially in the hard stuff, God is in charge.”
Don was a loving, kind, generous and faithful person. He truly was a wonderful role model and came to his faith in Jesus at 40. This had the most significant impact on his life.
A memorial service will take place at a later date. Don will be buried with Dee at the Bronswood Cemetery in Oak Brook, Illinois. Please check back later for service information.
