BORN

1942

DIED

2015

FUNERAL HOME

Davison-Fulton-Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home

2408 West Willow Knolls Drive

Peoria, Illinois

Donald Jenkins Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Mar. 26, 2015.

Peoria: Donald R. Jenkins, 72, of Peoria, passed away at 7:39 pm Tuesday, March 24, 2015 at Unity Point Proctor.
He was born September 19, 1942 in Streator, IL the son of Ralph and Mildred Lehr Jenkins. He married Carol Wilson on January 19, 1979.
Don taught Agriculture at Dwight, EI Paso, and Saybrook-Arrowsmith High Schools. He was an active member of the Illinois Association of Vocational Agriculture Teachers. Don also farmed in McLean County for many years.
Don was a Professor in the Agriculture Program at Illinois Central College. He taught Soil Science, Crop Science, and Ag Finance. He was the recipient of the ICC Gallion Award for the Outstanding Teacher of the Year in 2002. He was a recipient of Who's Who Among America's Teachers for 2003-04. Don was a member of the Illinois Association of Community College Agriculture Instructors. He received an Honorary Appreciation Award for 22 years of Service. Don was instrumental in the development of the "Fields of the Future" collaboration between ICC and WMBD. He believed strongly in the concept of "hands-on" learning and spent many hours with his students working and learning in the fields. Don always enjoyed his morning coffee with faculty and staff.
He retired in 2010, but returned to teach part-time. Don was a tireless supporter of the ICC Agriculture Programs.
Don is survived by his wife, Carol, of thirty-six years; one daughter, Kris Lipsey of Heyworth, IL; one son, John (Brenda) Lauritson of Downs, IL; five grandchildren, Andrew Lauritson, Jordan Robbins, Jared Lauritson, Alyssa Lauritson, and Blake Robbins; and one brother, Dale (Kathy)
Jenkins of Ransom, IL.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Cremation rites will be accorded.
Memorials may be made to the ICC Educational Foundation in support of the "Don Jenkins Agricultural Scholarship".
To view Don's memorial page please go to www.woolsey-wilton.com.
What we do in life echoes an eternity. For those who loved and respected Don, his echoes will be heard long and loud. He will be dearly missed.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

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March 22, 2019

Family

Kate Peyton

Don is missed in so many ways. Ben has renamed his carving studio "the shop" as Don referred to his studio by the river. We think of him (and Carol) so often wishing circumstances had been different and that Don was still with us. He will always be with us in spirit.

March 22, 2019

Family

Bill Wilson

To my fishing buddy. We will throw a line together again

January 26, 2018

Carol Jenkins

My dearest Don. The holidays have come and gone. Our January 19th wedding anniversary is always the most difficult to bear. You are still the best man I know. I love you.

January 8, 2017

Carol Jenkins

Don never met a puzzle he wouldn't tackle. He completed two crossword puzzles every morning along with the other puzzles in the Journal Star. On Sundays, he took on challenges presented by Marilyn vos Savant, including the Numbrix puzzle in her column. Don was a thinker.

December 1, 2016

Mike Foster

Don was a good man, blessed with a droll wit and a kindly nature.

All of us who were his college colleagues will miss him.

We must strive to keep all that was good in him alive in us.

November 30, 2016

Carol Jenkins

My Dearest Don,

I miss you every day and every night. I will love you forever.

Always,

Carol

November 30, 2016

Carol Jenkins

Don,

I want you to know I miss you every day and every night. My love is yours forever.

Carol

April 24, 2016

My sincere condolences to Don's family and friends. He was a great instructor and department head. He will be sorely missed. Robin Ballard, ICC Foundation (retired)

April 16, 2015

Don was a great friend and colleague. We spent countless mornings solving the world's problems over a cup of coffee. He was a terrific sounding board and always had a sympathetic ear and great advice. After retirement, I always looked forward to our somewhat monthly breakfasts. I will miss my friend. My sympathies are with Carol and her family for their great loss.

Randey Wall
ICC, Horticulture

April 8, 2015

Anita Madden

Mr. Jenkins was my crop science instructor. He made the class time entertaining and educational. My condolences to his family & friends.

April 7, 2015

Janell Brooks

I spent his last few days with Don and his family. It's hard to watch someone suffer and hard to let them go. I miss my friend and our morning chats over coffee. He was one of the kindest men I know and he touched many lives. All of his co-workers and his students are better people for knowing him. My prayers go out to his family. Have the coffee ready my dear friend, Don, I'll see you on the other side someday.

April 5, 2015

David King

I had only known Don as ICC ag dept. head. He was very supportive of the reestablishment of the agriculture dept. @ Morton High School in 2001-02. I had asked him to be on the ag advisory committee at MHS and he was so supportive of the very early years of getting it going again. He is a solid supporter of quality education that goes the 2nd mile to reach every student. I am certain he was loved by all students. Many in this area are better equipped because of Don. My sympathies to the family. God Bless You!!!

April 1, 2015

Jan Deissler

Seems like only a few weeks ago I ran into Don and Carol out shopping. Always cheerful and friendly. I will certainly miss him. You have my deepest sympathy.

April 1, 2015

Mike Foster

Don was a colleague whose laconic wit I always enjoyed.

Prayers of condolence for his family & friends.

March 30, 2015

Jessica Clark

Don was my favorite teacher! So glad I was able to learn from him and I will never forget his kindness, dry humor, and wisdom!

March 28, 2015

Bill Maass

As the saying goes, They don't make them like Don anymore. It was an privilege and honor to have worked with Don for 10 years at ICC. Both his retirement and his passing are losses for our community. An Educator and Teacher in all the best senses of those words, he made a difference to agriculture in the area and thousands of family farms and farmers. He touched the lives of many thousands of students and all those he worked with. His passing and tributes to him should be front page news but for those quiet heroes in our lives and community that doesn't happen. Those of us who knew him, loved him, worked with him, and were educated by him, mourn his loss and celebrate his life and his life's work. As always with an educator like Don, I also feel sorry for all those that won't benefit from his knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. He was a friend to any of us in the Ag building that could catch him long enough between his busy schedule to put out their hand. My deepest sympathy to all his friends and loved ones. Rest in Peace Don and Thank You for a job, no, a Calling, well done. All whom you have touched are better for it.

March 27, 2015

Bruce Henrikson

I was very sorry to hear of the loss of Don. My sympathy to the family. Don and I enjoyed many years working together for ag education.

Bruce Henrikson, Parkland College Ag Program.

March 27, 2015

Patti Peyton

Uncle Don will always be remembered as a wonderful, kind and loving man. We will miss him.

March 26, 2015

Patty Potter

Carol and family,
I am sorry about Don, my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.

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