Don Brockett Ansel

Don Brockett Ansel, age 86, of Zionsville, Indiana, passed peacefully into the hands of the Lord on Sunday, August 10, 2014 with his wife and children at his side. Born February 3, 1928 in Elgin, Illinois to the late Albert Jacob Ansel and Josephine Brockett Ansel, Don and his wife, Irene, made their home in East Dundee, Illinois for 40 years, before moving to Zionsville in 1998. Don was a loving, devoted husband to Irene and father to his children, Craig and Susan. He was a gentle man and always a gentleman to all.

Don was raised in Elgin, Illinois where he enjoyed sports and Scouting with the Boy Scouts of America. He graduated as salutatorian of the Elgin High School class of 1946. After proudly serving his country in the United States Navy for two years, Don attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, from which he graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics in 1952 as a member of the Phi Kappa Psi social fraternity. Don received his Masters degree in Business Administration from the University of Chicago in 1965. Following his graduation from DePauw, Don returned to Elgin in 1952 where he took an accounting job with the Shakeproof Division of Illinois Tool Works. Don remained a dedicated employee of the Illinois Tool Works family of companies for over 35 years, taking on ever-increasing positions of responsibility, finally retiring as the experienced and well-respected Corporate Comptroller at the ITW corporate headquarters on February 29, 1988.

Don was enthusiastic about supporting projects and programs to benefit and improve his community. His family, church and Scouting activities created and developed his understanding of his duty to God and country, duty to others and duty to himself. He was actively involved with the Boy Scouts of America, serving for a number of years as Scoutmaster of Scout Troop 5 in Elgin, and later supporting his son's Scouting activities in Dundee. Don served as a member of the church council of the First United Methodist Church of Elgin, he served on the planning commission for East Dundee and he was elected to the Board of Trustees of the Elgin Community College. He served on the Literacy Council and as a Board Member of Delta Dental of Illinois. He was an active member of the Dundee Lions Club and of the Zionsville Kiwanis Club. Don served as a living example of the principles of the Boy Scout Oath and the twelve points of the Scout Law. Above all, Don truly was a Good Scout.

Don was most passionate and dedicated to his family. In his quiet and unassuming manner, he placed his God and his family above all else in his life. Don is survived by his loving wife of 61 years, Irene Koebke Ansel; daughter, Susan of Dallas, TX; son, Craig (Peggy) of Corpus Christi, TX; and grandsons, Douglas (Emily) of Raleigh, NC, Michael of Mountain View, CA, and Robert of Corpus Christi, TX; as well as his devoted sister, Peggy Jo Carpenter of Lexington, OH; his sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be at the Carmel United Methodist Church, 621 S. Rangeline Rd., Carmel, Indiana from 10 - 11 AM on Thursday, August 14, 2014. A memorial service and celebration of Don's life will be held immediately following the visitation. In lieu of flowers, donations to honor Don's memory can be made to the Boy Scouts of America, the American Heart Association or the charity of your choice.

Arrangements entrusted to A.R.N. Funeral and Cremation Services. Friends may leave a memory or message of condolence by visiting the online obituary at www.arnmortuary.com.