He was born August 15, 1923 in Punxsutawney, PA to Michael and Martha (Rothermund)
Albanito. He married Goldie Dale Plymire on August 1, 1947. His lifelong companion and
caretaker for thirty years was Dr. Debra Cribbs.
Surviving is one daughter, Dr. Diane (Jon) Balke of Plainfield; three sons Don, Jr. of Las
Vegas, Nevada; Rev. Fred (Melody) of Canton and Darrell (Deborah) of Peoria; one sister Jean
Croasmun, of Jacksonville, Florida; seven grandchildren and three great grandchildren. One
brother preceded him in death.
In World War II he served in the Adjutant General Department of the U.S. Army for
three years. He was a member of the American Legion, taught at Missouri State University for
one year and was in charge of the finance and accounting departments for the American
Psychological Association, Washington D.C., for three years.
He became a professor at Bradley University in 1956, chairman of the Business
Management and Administration Department from 1958-1971 and Dean of the College of
Continuing Education and Summer School from 1971-1986. Upon retiring he was designated a
Bradley University Emeriti Professor.
He earned a bachelor's degree from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1949, a
Master’s degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1951, and a doctorate from Indiana
University, Bloomington, Indiana in 1971.
He had many articles published in The Journal of Business Education, Advanced
Management, AER Research Journal, Americans for Effective Law Enforcement, Models for
Financial Management by Holden-Day, and co-authored a book on FBI director, J. Edgar
Hoover.
He was a member of the Professional organizations--Alpha Kappa Psi, Society for the
Advancement of Management, Delta Pi Epsilon, Gamma Rho Tau, and Phi Chi Theta. He was a
past member of Peoria North Rotary. He was a member of the Orpheus Club of Peoria for more
than forty years, a past president and secretary-treasurer of the Orpheus Club and sang in the
Orpheus Ensemble.
He received a CILCO Economic Fellowship, two Ford Foundation Fellowships, was a
past president of the Midwest Business Administration Association International and the
Executive Director of that Association from 1982-2002. He served as the Executive Director of
the Illinois Clergy Economic Education and received the Olin W. Davis service award for the
successful operation of economic workshops in Illinois for 17 years.
He was a past president of Trinity Lutheran Church and Concordia Lutheran School
Board.
He was listed in the national directories of Notable Americans, Who's Who in Midwest,
Personnel of the West and Midwest, Who's Who in America, and Men and Women of
Distinction.
He received the Bradley University Francis C. Mergen Community Service Award
in1972, was a board member of the Tri-County Urban League's Tomorrow's Scientists and
Technicians Program, Republican precinct committeeman, and a member of Gov. Richard
Ogilvie's Advisory Council. He was also the President of District IX Association for Continuing
Education, President of the Peoria Civil Defense Advisory Board, Bradley Braves Club member and he developed national examinations for the Institute for Certifying Secretaries.
He willed his body to medical science and there will be no visitation or memorial service. Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Online tributes and condolences may be submitted to www.woolsey-wilton.com.
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