Donald Lee Kelm, age 84, of South Elgin, IL, went to be with his Heavenly Father on May 29, 2022. He was born February 7, 1938 in Joliet, IL to his loving parents, Ralph and Erna (née Woesthoff) Kelm.

Don grew up in the Lockport area, graduating from Lockport High School and Joliet Junior College. He joined the United States Army in 1960 and served for three years before being honorably discharged in 1963.

Don was employed by the Illinois Bell Telephone Company in Geneva, IL for 30 years before retiring in 1997.

Don wed his wife, Joyce, in 1968, and they were married for 54 years. Together they raised two wonderful daughters. After his retirement, Don and Joyce traveled extensively. They were members of St. Mark's Lutheran Church in St. Charles, IL for 46 years.

Don had a great sense of humor and a caring attitude towards others. He loved biking, many times riding 30 miles a day, along with cross country skiing, hiking, and pickleball. Don was also a lifelong Cubs fan.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; stepfather; sister, Joan (Bob) Gaza; sister-in-law, Georgia (Bob) Kelm; and brothers-in-law, Harold Anderson, Ronald George, and Pat Egan. He is survived by his wife, Joyce (née Egan) Kelm; sisters, Carol George, Marilyn Anderson, and Lorraine (Bill) Hacker; brothers, Bob (Georgia) Kelm and Dave (Janet) Kelm; daughters, Susan (Michael) Valcq and Cheryl (Doug) Denz; grandchildren, Amanda, Megan, Sarah, and Rachel Valcq, and Molly and Joshua Denz; and many nieces and nephews.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating in Don’s name to the Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research.

Final arrangements entrusted to Symonds-Madison Funeral Home. For more information, call 847-741-1128 or visit www.symondsmadison.com.