passed away peacefully at his home in January 2023. Don was born in 1925 to Henry
and Helen Koth and was the last survivor of their 13 children. Don graduated from
Washington High School and then served in the Army in France and Germany during
World War II, receiving the Bronze Star and Purple Heart. After an honorable discharge,
Don graduated from Bradley University. He married Joann Schroen in 1957 and they
enjoyed 65 years of marriage and love. Joann survives. They have three surviving
children: David (Kathy) of Bloomington, IL; Douglas (Cheryl) of Bloomington, IL; and
Susan (Todd) Schwingle of Branson West, MO. Don is also survived by nine
grandchildren: Daniel (Megan) Koth of Chicago; Derek Koth of Chicago; Dennis Koth of
Monterey, CA; Dustin (Amber) Koth of Normal, IL; Jennifer (Sean) Stevens of
Bloomington; Dylan (Laci) Koth of Oklahoma City, OK; Dallas Koth of Coralville, IA;
Stephanie Schwingle of Tinley Park, IL; and Courtney Schwingle of Alameda, CA. Don
also has seven great-grandchildren.
Don owned insurance agencies in Astoria and Rushville. For more than 30 years, Don
and Joann were active members of the Rushville community and raised their family on
their farm just outside of Rushville. Don volunteered as a Boy Scout leader, a youth
sports coach, a RHS booster and was a member of the Rushville Rotary Club, the
American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars and the Masonic Lodge.
After retiring in 1984, Don enjoyed playing golf, tennis, competed in the Senior Games
at the local, state and national levels, and pitched horseshoes in local and state
competitions. In golf, Don shot his age in the 60s, 70s and 80s and had several
holes-in-one. Don and Joann retired to Fairway Village in Largo and were active in that
community for many years. Don had been a member of the Rushville United Methodist
Church, attended Bloomington Wesley UMC and was a member at St. Paul UMC in
Largo.
Don was a loving and supportive husband, father and grandfather who was a role model
to his family. Don liked spending time outdoors enjoying nature, but more than anything
he loved spending time with his family. He will be deeply missed. A Florida celebration
of life was held at the Fairway Village clubhouse. A visitation and graveside service will
be held in Rushville at a future date. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that
memorials be made to the El Paso Golf Club tree fund, the Fairway Village Women
Working Wonders or the Scripps Park Golf Course. Serenity Funeral Home in Largo is
handling the arrangements and pictures can be viewed at their website.
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