Don Wilmoth

Donald Lee Wilmoth, age 85, of Iola, passed away Sunday, Aug. 18, 2019, at Ascension Via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita. Don was born June 19, 1934, in Carlyle, to Avery Mitchell Wilmoth and Agnes Elizabeth (Houlton) Wilmoth.

Don graduated from Iola High School in 1952. Following high school he attended Independence Community Junior College for two years. He then served two years active duty in the Navy. After being honorably discharged from the Navy he attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg. He later received his master’s in education. Throughout his naval and college education, he played football.

On Oct. 2, 1956, in Iola, Don married Kathryn (O’Brien) Wilmoth and this union was blessed with five children.

Don started teaching eighth grade in the Colony school district in 1958, where he also coached, until 1967. In 1967, he started at Iola Junior High teaching American History and Driver’s Ed and coaching until 1977. From 1977 until his retirement in 1995 Don was the principal for Iola Middle School. Throughout his teaching career Don refereed football and basketball for KSHSAA. After retirement, Don enjoyed driving a tour bus for Crossroads Tours and Goodwill Tours. He also enjoyed driving the Allen Community College activities bus.

Don enjoyed his family, football, baseball, basketball, his cattle and his 40 acres. Don was a lifetime member of St. John’s Catholic Church and Knights of Columbus.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Gene Wilmoth.

Don is survived by his wife; five children, Mike Wilmoth and wife Aleta (Platt) Wilmoth of Wellington, Patty Dick and husband John of Yates Center, Donna Carpenter and husband Steven of Iola, Jane Burns and husband Don of Gas, and Tom Wilmoth and wife Missy (Guenther) Wilmoth of Wichita; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren and one on the way; one sister Mary Dickey of Iola; and numerous other relatives.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Catholic Church in Iola. Burial will follow in Highland Cemetery. The Rosary will be recited starting at 7 to 7:20 p.m. with visitation following until 8 p.m. at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service 1883 US-Hwy 54 Iola.

Memorials can be made to St. John’s Catholic Church or Project Football Stadium, in care of USD 257, and left with Feuerborn Family Funeral Service. Condolences for the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com.