In Memorium: Don Nylin

Donald W. Nylin, 82, of Lincolnshire passed away March 7, 2011.  He was born Dec. 16, 1928 in Decatur, IL.  For the last four years,  Don was a resident at Sedgebrook Retirement Community after thirty-seven years in West Aurora. 

Following a distinguished career as educator and administrator, Don remained an avid student and teacher in all of his endeavors. Seventy-plus classes from Elderhostel proved the former, and teaching others the memoir writing skills he had learned in Elderhostel demonstrate the latter. Furthermore, The Executive Service Corps of Chicago recognized his many years and over 3000 hours of service assisting non-profit organizations in the Chicago area.

I was privileged to know Don the last six years of his life and quickly learned to love this multi-talented and compassionate gentle man.  Briefly, here are two of his many talents:


A skilled wordsmith with a wonderful sense of humor, Don penned this gem he entitled "Ain't Grammar Fun" (here's an except)


1. Verbs has to agree with their subjects.
2. Prepositions are not words to end sentences with.
3. And don't start a sentence with a conjunction.
4. It is wrong to ever split an infinitive.
5. Avoid clichÈs like the plague. (They're old hat).
6. Always avoid annoying alliteration.
7. Be more or less specific.

He was similarly skilled as a wordworker and loved the woodshop at Sedgebrook where he created this rocking horse which he sunsequently donated to Executive Service Corps for a silent auction

(At the ESC silent auction, the winning bid on the rocking horse was $175, which was a steal. He says that he hopes children in the Chicago area are enjoying the ride as much as he enjoyed making it in Sedgebrook’s wood shop.)

Thanks for everything, Don.  (See you later, friend.)