Belton D. “Gus” Gustafson - January 18, 2008

     Belton D. “Gus” Gustafson died on January 18, 2008. He was born on November 19, 1921. A lifelong resident of West Chicago, he graduated from West Chicago Community High School in 1939. He joined the Marines in early 1942, just after the attack on Pearl Harbor. Upon his return in late 1944, he brought home a bride, Mildred “Jo”. They raised five children, all of whom graduated from their father’s alma mater. They celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1994. Mildred passed away the following year. After the war, Gus worked for Commonwealth Edison, retiring in 1982 after 43 years of service. As a WWII Veteran, he was an active member of VFW Post # 6791 which he and his father helped found in 1946. Both served terms as “Commander”. Even as his health waned in recent months he could be seen working “Bingo” at the Post on Wednesday nights. In their later years, Gus and Jo traveled throughout the West and Southwest, fulfilling a retirement hope they both had. His months of dedication to Jo when she fell terribly ill are much appreciated by his children. After her death, he continued to travel. On one trip he met a wonderful friend, Charlotte Burgess, who had lost her husband after a serious illness. They were good companions for each other until her death in 2006. One thing he would want others to know is that his driver’s license is still current and that this eighty-six year old drove his Chevy until the end.

     He is survived by his sisters Fern Watson and Helen Hadley, and brother, Charles Gustafson; children Sandy Gustafson, Robert (Cindy) Gustafson, John (Kim) Gustafson, Lisa Jo (Dan) Borchers, and Judy Gustafson; grandchildren Carly (Patrick) Léon, Nathan (Andrea) Gustafson, Janna (Dan) Stahl, Jacob Gustafson, Kelly Gustafson, Vincent Schramer, Jocelyn Schramer, Daphne Schramer, Alex Sherman, Lanie Borchers, Kyra Borchers; great grandchildren Owen, Lane and Wyatt Stahl