Dr. Donald Eugene Bortz

Dr. Donald Eugene Bortz born October 2,1946 in Valparaiso, IN to Wayne/Pauline Bortz, lived in Wanatah, IN. It was Harlan Knosher and a basketball scholarship that brought Don to Knox College (Galesburg, IL.) Before graduating from Knox, he met and married Mary Ellen Hinchman and they began their journey through life together celebrating their 54th year of marriage December 15, 2022.
After graduating from Indiana University School of Dentistry, they moved to Ft. Hood, TX where Donald served as an Army Captain and their son David Matthew was born. In 1976, they moved to Galesburg, Illinois where Don practiced dentistry until he retired in 2011 and they moved to Sun City, AZ. Dr. Bortz was respected and trusted by his patients and was one of the first to collaborate with the oral surgeons doing implant dentistry. It was during those years that their daughter, Sarah Elizabeth was born. Later Mary and Don enjoyed attending estate sales/auctions, set up a small business (For You Then & Now), and sold their antiques/collectibles in Galesburg and later in Arizona cherishing their golden years together. They loved living in Sun City, were active in their church, and enjoyed volunteering at the Sun City Visitor’s Center. Don passed away February 23, 2023, from complications related to Progressive Supra Nuclear Palsy. The disease affected his balance, vision, speech, and swallowing abilities.
Survivors include: wife (Mary), son (David and daughter-in-law Vanja and grandson Benjamin- Boulder, CO); daughter (Sarah and son-in-law Brock Heinz- Costa Mesa, CA.); sisters and sister-in-law: [Pauline (Jim) Mohlke and Connie (Ed) Welsh-Union Mills, IN; Carol (Bill) Mayor-Cincinnati OH; Ann (Hinchman) Fritz-Bloomington, IL]; and many nieces/nephews/cousins/friends/colleagues/coworkers throughout the US. Don’s parents, grandparents, several aunts, uncles, and brother-in-law (Guy Fritz) preceded him in death.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held 11:00 A.M. October 14, 2023, at American Lutheran Church of Sun City, 17200 N. Del Webb Blvd., Sun City, AZ 85373. A live stream will also be available for those unable to attend in person. Refer to the Am. Lutheran Church of Sun City website: https://alcsuncity.org/ on the day of the service to access the link. The family request anyone who wants to share their memories of Don send the information to: Mary Bortz email: marydonbortz@gmail.com
In lieu of flowers, gifts, etc. family has requested memorials/donations be sent to an organization of your choice or any of the following: Am. Lutheran Church-Sun City, AZ. Banner Health Foundations: www.bannerhealth.com/ways-to-give/foundations Sun Health Foundation: www.sunhealthfoundation.org tribute-gifts
A Living Tribute: shop.alivingtribute.org/collections/plant-a-tree-for-someone.