Donald "Don" G. Ozburn

Donald G. Ozburn, age 73, of Rockford died November 13, 2018 at Mercy Hospital after a short illness. He was born March 11, 1945 in Pinckneyville, IL the son of Howard and Lorraine (Eaton) Ozburn. Don married Sandra (Engels) Ozburn on June 23, 1972 in Rockford, IL.
Don graduated from Pinckneyville Community High School in 1963. He graduated from University of Missouri – Rolla in 1968 with a Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering.
Don enjoyed a successful and challenging 35 year career with Sundstrand Corporation (later Hamilton Sundstrand) in Rockford, IL working on aircraft systems, the Space Shuttle program and torpedo propulsion systems. He spent the majority of his career working on undersea propulsion and retired in 2003 as the Program Manager of Undersea Systems. After retirement he was on the Board of Directors of the Westlake Townhome Association for many years and the Westlake Village Master Association Advisory Board.
Don was a loving husband and father. He adored his grandchildren and enjoyed watching them in many school and sporting events. Don was an avid golfer and woodworker. Don and Sandy enjoyed their RV vacations and spent their winters in warmer climates in their motor home while traveling to 46 states.
Don is survived by a daughter, Susan Campbell of Rockford, IL and a son, Michael (Mary Hadley) Ozburn of Lookout Mountain, TN, brother Bill (Mary Lou) Ozburn, eight grandchildren- Kirstin Willnow, Britta Engels, Henry Campbell, Lucy Campbell, William Ozburn, MaryBlythe Ozburn, Robert Ozburn and Elizabeth Ozburn and four great-grandchildren. Don was preceded in death by his parents, wife Sandy and son Todd.
Memorial service will be held November 16, 2018 at 11 am at Fitzgerald Funeral Home, 3910 N Rockton Ave, Rockford, IL 61103. Visitation from 9:30 am until time of service. A celebration of life luncheon will follow the service at Wesley Willows Town Center, Van Sickle Room, 4142 Johns Farm Rd, Rockford, IL 61101. Cremation rites were accorded. Private interment for the family at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Freeport, IL
In lieu of flowers, memorials to National Parkinson’s Foundation or Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s. To express condolences online, please visit www.fitzgeraldfh.com