Donovan Guilford

DONOVAN GUILFORD Age 101 of Valparaiso, passed away on Wednesday, February 14, 2018 at Life Care Center of Valparaiso. He was born November 5, 1916, RR1, Bloomingdale, Indiana, son of Dr. E.R. and Gladys Moore Guilford. Upon graduating from Kingman (Indiana) High School, April, 1934, he went on to Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, receiving his B.S. Degree in Business Administration in June of 1938 and his M.S. Degree in Education, September 1948. While at Indiana University, he was a three-year member of the Indiana University Marching Hundred and Concert Bands, 1934 to 1937. Don began teaching business education at Huntingburg High School, Huntingburg, Indiana from 1938 to 1941. On June 22, 1941 he married Rosalyn M. Patberg of Huntingburg and entered the U.S. Army in September of that same year. While in the U.S. Army, he served in the Administration and Personnel School, Fort Warren, Cheyenne, Wyoming, October 1941 to July, 1943. He served overseas in Chungking and Kunming, China, from October 1943 until September, 1945. While in China he received an overseas direct commission as Second Lieutenant in February, 1945 and was promoted to First Lieutenant, July, 1945. He was honorably separated from the Army on December 1, 1945 and from the reserves in 1955. After leaving the Army, Don took a teaching position in business education at Holland High School and was yearbook advisor for that only year there. He then went to Lebanon (Indiana) High School, August 1946 to June 1953 and also taught three semesters of business education in IU-Purdue Extension Center at Lebanon. He taught three summers at Culver Military Academy Summer Schools, Culver, Indiana, 1950 through 1952. Don took a principalship at Morgan Township School, Porter County, from August 1953 to May 1964, then became principal at Lowell High School in August 1964. He stayed at Lowell until 1966 when he became an education consultant for Lake County Schools, July 1966 to June 1967. Don finished his teaching and administration career as the Assistant Superintendent for Curriculum and Personnel, Lake Central School Corporation, St. John, Indiana, 1967-1977, and was promoted to Superintendent of Schools, Lake Central School Corporation where he served from July 1, 1977 until June 30, 1982 when he retired. He is survived by daughter Marcia A. Illig (Joseph) of Valparaiso, IN and Bowie, MD and isalso survived by six grandchildren: Michael Yeager (Cindy) of Bowie, Maryland, Marc Yeager (Gina Eikenburg) of Glen Burnie, Maryland, Matthew Yeager of Gambrills, Maryland, Donovan Illig (Lee Ann) of Odenton, Maryland, Carse Koch (Michael Pfaltzgraff) of Glen Burnie, Maryland, and Robert Illig (Cindy) of Crofton. Additionally, he is also survived by great-grandchildren: Stephanie, Aaron and Hayley Yeager; Jacob Yeager, Viktoria, Edgar, Christina, Gabriella, and Ava Koch; Kayla, Jessica, Malia Illig; and Mallory Illig. Nephews William Patberg of Ohio, Perry Wagle of Oregon, and Dan Wagle of Georgia survive, along with several stepgrandchildren.. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. E. R. Guilford and Gladys Moore Guilford Hires, his grandparents, James M. and Minnie Moore, one brother, James Wallace Guilford, his beloved wife, Rosalyn (Patberg) Guilford, his son, Kevin J. Guilford and nephew John Patberg. Visitation will be held on Sunday, February 18 from 2:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the Bartholomew Funeral Home, 102 Monroe Street, Valparaiso, Indiana with funeral services at Bartholomew Funeral Home on February 19 at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor David Kovalow-St. John officiating. Immediately following the service, internment will take place at Valparaiso Memorial Park. Donations may be made in Don’s memory to Morgan Township School, 299 State Road 49, Valparaiso, Indiana 46383.

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