Don Mellema, Class of 1955

Don Mellema, Anchor/Reporter for WBBM Newsradio 78, served the station as Morning Drive-Time Reporter and logged hundreds of miles each week to keep Chicagoans informed throughout the day of the latest breaking events. He was named “1994 Newsfinder of the Year” by the Illinois Associated Press for his individual contributions to the Associated Press.

During his years with WBBM, Don covered every President since Lyndon Johnson, every Illinois governor since Richard Ogilvie, plus a myriad of subjects, from death and crime to storms and heat waves, investigation of mass murderer John Wayne Gacy, and the Paxton Hotel fire. The story that stands out most vividly in his mind was the Arlington International Racecourse fire he covered one rainy morning from inside the track.

A radio aficionado since boyhood, Don earned his BA degree in speech from Beloit College in 1959, and landed his first professional broadcasting job in September 1958 at WGEZ, Beloit as a part-time broadcaster. The Chicago native subsequently moved to stations in Fort Wayne, Indianapolis, and Oshkosh, Wisconsin. In 1966, he joined WGN Radio, Chicago, and three years later became a General Reporter at WBBM Newradio 78.

Don was frequently honored as part of an award-winning morning news team, and was involved in Sigma Delta Chi professional journalism society, the Illinois News Broadcasters Association and was honored with a Radio Television News Directors Regional Competition Award for “Best Coverage of a Spot News Event” for extensive coverage of the Paxton Hotel Fire. Don received additional honors for coverage of the Paxton Hotel fire with a Silver Dome First Place Award for best “Spot News” reports.

Don was a frequent guest speaker/lecturer, carrying the message of broadcasting’s place and the importance of education into classrooms as a member of the Chicago Public Schools Youth Motivational Program, at the grade school, high school and college levels.

In private life, Don has been honored many times by the Boy Scouts of America for his outstanding contributions as a commissioner and unit leader. He has also served as a deacon in his church and is active in fundraising for the Uhlich Children’s Home. He enjoys reading, travel, and gardening with his wife Freda. The Mellemas live in Park Ridge. Their son, Darryl, is a sports editor with the Kane County Chronicle (St. Charles), and son, Duane, is a Park Ridge Police officer.