David Frank Wehrstein

David F. Wehrstein, 84, of Ingleside, Illinois, passed away peacefully at his home on May 19, 2022. He was born June 23, 1937, the son of the late Frank Peter Wehrstein and Catherine Muschong, who were both first generation Danube-Swabian Americans. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanne Hlava Wehrstein; brothers, Richard, Donald, and James Wehrstein; sisters, Francis Meisner and Catherine Cyrzan; and grandson, Nicholas Spadaro.

As a young child, Dave and his three older siblings were sent to live on their grandparents’ farm in Sebewaing, Michigan, for four years while his parents searched for work to support their family during the final years of the Great Depression. On the farm, his German speaking grandmother taught him the art of gardening as well as the practice of stewardship and frugality. Dave's parents meanwhile settled in Grass Lake, Illinois and his father found work as a paint estimator at The Palmer House Hotel in Chicago and often brought Dave to work with him. There Dave was influenced by the resident artist, Martin Lundgren, as he would restore old paintings for the hotel. Dave eventually enrolled as a student at The Art Institute of Chicago, but soon realized that this type of art didn’t provide adequate income, so he decided to attend a commercial art school. He ultimately joined Feldkamp-Malloy, Inc. studios in Chicago and created hand illustrated artwork for McDonald’s Happy Meal boxes, United Airlines, Great America, and other advertising campaigns.

Dave served for a few short years as a clerk in the Army first in Indianapolis, then Camp Walters, Texas. He moved back to the Lake County area and married his love, Jeanne, November 2, 1968. They were married 35 years before her passing in 2004.

Words that can describe Dave: quick witted, frugal, avid yard worker, lover of strong black coffee and his breakfast pastry, loyal caregiver to his mother and wife, baker of the best zucchini bread, worker of crossword puzzles, pet lover, dedicated Catholic, life of the party.

Dave is survived by his son, David Richard Wehrstein and wife Dr. Jana Rose of Demorest, Georgia; loving daughter, Linda (Rick) Spadaro of Ingleside, Illinois; son,Jimmy Hlava of Illinois; grandchildren, Ava and Jakob Wehrstein of Georgia, Jamie Spadaro (Shawn Drelich) of Florida, Jessie Hlava, Haley (Matt) Sjodin, and Timmy Hlava of Illinois; great- grandchildren, Joseph, Benjamin and Tyler Spadaro, Nella and Neva Drelich, and Evelyn Hlava; dear sister, Donna Ott of Florida; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Our Lady of the Lakes-St. Bede Catholic Church, 36455 N. Wilson Rd., Ingleside, IL 60041 or Save-A-Pet of Lake County.

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