Hinsdale Businessman Doug Fuller Sr. Dies at Age 69

Hinsdale native and well-known businessman Doug Fuller Sr. (Dec. 7, 1943-May 29, 2013) died peacefully last Wednesday at his home in Hinsdale, surrounded by family, according to his Chicago Tribune obituary on Legacy.com. 

Mr. Fuller, who owned and operated Fuller's Service Center, Fuller's Home and Hardware, and Fuller's Dips & Dogs in Hinsdale, Fuller's Tire Center in Clarendon Hills and Fuller's Car Wash in Cicero, was 69 years old, the obituary says.

A funeral service for Mr. Fuller took place Monday at Zion Lutheran Church in Hinsdale. 

Mr. Fuller is survived by his wife of 50 years, Elizabeth; the couple's seven children: Paula Goss (John), Sara Kurr (Paul), Susan Groenewold (Joel), Douglas Jr. (Amy), Adam (Jill), Ethan, and Colin (Anne); 31 grandchildren; one great grandchild; three brothers; and numerous nieces, nephews and brothers- and sisters-in-law.

"Doug's life was centered on his religion, his family and his work," the obituary reads. "His legacy will carry on through the family business he passed on to his children."

Read Mr. Fuller's entire Chicago Tribune obituary here. 

Village President Tom Cauley spoke about Mr. Fuller during his president's report at Tuesday night's Hinsdale Board of Trustees meeting.

"Doug Fuller Sr. has always remained committed to Hinsdale and he and his family have provided a great service to our village," Cauley said. "I will miss Mr. Fuller." 

Mr. Fuller was born in Hinsdale, the son of Dorothy and Lloyd Fuller. Lloyd Fuller started the family brand in Hinsdale more than 50 years ago. 

Lloyd Fuller sold his businesses to his sons in 1988, according to a feature in America's Best Companies. Doug Fuller Sr. took the Hinsdale businesses while his brothers expanded the car-wash business in the surrounding suburbs.

In 2007, America's Best Companies named the Fullers among the most successful entrepreneurial families in the country. 

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