Don Fenton, vice
president of sales for Piemonte National Fleet in Melrose Park, IL, was killed in a single-vehicle traffic accident in the Seattle, WA, area on Aug. 30. Fenton was 67. The accident occurred when Fenton swerved to avoid hitting an animal, causing the Ford Expedition he was driving to hit a guardrail and plunge into a 50-foot ravine. Inside the vehicle with Fenton was his wife, Ann, who suffered serious injuries, but will recover.

Fenton’s death comes less than a month after the passing of Milo Matick, vice president of fleet for Piemonte National Fleet, who died on Aug. 6 of a heart attack.

Fenton began his fleet sales career at Nickey Chevrolet in Chicago, IL, in 1957. At that time, Fenton was virtually alone as a fleet sales executive traveling the entire country to market his vehicle line. In 1967, Fenton joined Long Chevrolet as director of fleet sales operations. He left Long Chevrolet in 1981 and went to work for Faul Fleet Group in 1982 where he served as president for eight years. In 1990-1991, Fenton worked for Bobit Publishing as an advertising sales executive, representing Automotive Fleet in the Midwest and Eastern U.S. In 1991, Fenton joined Al Piemonte National Fleet as vice president of sales and marketing.

Among his other accomplishments, Fenton was a founder of the Automotive Fleet & Leasing Association and served as its third president. He also served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, stationed in Alaska.

Fenton is survived by his wife, two sons, and four stepdaughters.

The wake is scheduled for Friday, Sept. 5, from 1 to 9 PM at Salerno's Rosedale Chapels: 450 W. Lake St., Roselle, IL 60172, (630) 889-1700. The funeral is set for Saturday, Sept. 6 at 11 AM at St. Isidore's Catholic Church: 427 W. Army Trail Rd., Bloomingdale, IL 60108, (630) 529-3045.