ROCHELLE — Donald Cultra, 81, passed away Wednesday, Aug. 16, 2017 at Kishwaukee Community Hospital in DeKalb. Don was born Jan. 13, 1936 in Ashton, the son of Samuel and Elma (Alsup) Cultra. He was united in marriage to Glenda Vanderpool on June 30, 1958 in Oregon; she preceded him in death on Oct. 12, 1997.
He was united in marriage to Pauline Jones Barnes on July 14, 2003 at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, Iowa.
Don worked as a mechanic at Swift and then FDL. He later opened Don’s Body Shop, where he was a licensed auto rebuilder. He enjoyed working alongside his sons and grandsons at his shop.
Don was an artisan in restoration. He restored everything from furniture to farm equipment and machinery. He built his family’s first home in the Askvig Addition. He also remodeled numerous homes throughout the years. He loved camping and, in his younger years, water skiing. When he wasn’t working, he could be found watching his two favorite television shows, Dr. Phil and Judge Judy or listening to his favorite musicians, Willie Nelson and Johnny Cash. What Don found the most joy in were family gatherings and parties at the Cultra residence.
The family would like to extend a special thank you to Kishwaukee Hospital, KishHealth System Hospice, Bethany Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, and Rochelle Community Hospital for their care and compassion.
Don is survived by his wife, Pauline; two sons, Daniel (Teresa) Cultra and Gary Cultra, both of Rochelle; a daughter, Cheryl (Peter) Craker of Corry, Pa.; grandchildren, Anna, Cultra David Cultra, Danielle Rich, and Gary Dornbush; great-granddaughters, Audriana and Cecelia Massengale-Cultra; step-children Pam (Mark) Bucey, Nora (Ron) Jeter, and Nola Addante; numerous step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Mary Ellen (Lyle) Merritt, Carol (Don) Link, Judy Aurand, and Lynn (Ed) Arensdorf; and a sister-in-law, Dorothy Cultra.
In addition to his parents, Don is preceded in death by his first wife, Glenda; step-son Brian Barnes; a brother, William Cultra, and a sister Ella Marie Miller.
A private family service will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 22 at Unger-Horner Funeral Home, 400 N. Sixth St. in Rochelle with Rev. Dr. Camden Bucey officiating. Private inurnment will follow in Trinity Memory Gardens.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to Steward United Methodist Church or Pay It Forward House in Sycamore. Please visit www.ungerhorner.com to sign the online guest book.