Donald Roy Lohmar, 85, of Galesburg, died at 10:22am Friday, December 07, 2012 at OSF St. Mary Medical Center, Galesburg.
Don was born November 13, 1927 in Galesburg, the son of Roy and Clara (Sandberg) Lohmar. He married Jean Drda on June 4, 1952 in Galesburg. Don is survived by his wife of 60 years, Jean of Galesburg; three sons, John and Mark (and Carol) both of Ft. Worth, Texas, and Daniel (and Julie) of Springfield; four daughters, Mary (and Jim) Reed of Seffner, Florida, Teresa (and Harry) Stripe of Charlotte, North Carolina, Judy (and Michael) Warrick, of Little Rock, Arkansas, and Jane (and George) Ingersoll of Batavia; 17 grandchildren; and one great granddaughter. He is also survived by two sisters, Phoebe Lohmar of Austin, Texas and Phyllis Schuster, of Maplewood, Minnesota. Don was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Diana Mustakos and Wilma Brown; and one brother Robert.
Don received his Bachelor’s Degree from Illinois State University and his Master’s Degree from Western Illinois University. He went on to have a long career in education, first working at ROVA District #208 as a teacher and principle from 1953 to 1957, He then went to work for Galesburg District #205 from 1957 to 1984, first at L.T. Stone where he was a classroom teacher; then he became the assistant principle at Lombard Junior High; then he served as the principal at King School. From 1984 to 1988 he served as the Assistant Superintendent of Knox County Regional Office of Education. Don went on to become the Administrator at Costa Catholic School from 1988 to 1992 when he retired.
Don was an active member of the community. He and Jean were charter members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, and was a member of the original building committee. He also served as trustee for Immaculate Heart of Mary for 12 years. On November 21, 2004 Don received the Pere Marquette from Bishop Daniel R. Jenky for exemplary service to Immaculate Heart of Mary Church and the Diocese of Peoria. He was a member of Father J.O. Hunt Knights of Columbus Council 556, the Illinois Retired Teachers Association, and the Galesburg Kiwanis Club. Don was a past president of the Lincoln Douglas Kiwanis Club and the Knox County Retired Teachers Association.
Funeral Mass will be 10am Tuesday, December 11, 2012 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church. Rev. Msgr. Ernest Pizzamiglio will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Galesburg. Visitation will be 5-8pm Monday, December 10, 2012 at Watson-Thomas Funeral Home, Galesburg. The rosary will be prayed at 8pm.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Catholic Charities, Immaculate Heart of Mary, Costa Catholic Academy, or to Habitat for Humanity.
Expressions of sympathy may be made at www.watsonthomas.com
One of the most fascinating things about the media frenzy surrounding state Sen. Donne Trotter’s arrest last week was that not one of his Democratic 2nd Congressional District opponents immediately jumped in front of the cameras to comment publicly about the matter.
