Donald Lee Elmore, 92, died with family by his side on January 12, 2022 of aspiration pneumonia at Rush Copley Hospital in Aurora, IL.
He was born on September 3, 1929, to the late Jesse and Bessie (Tucker) Elmore. He was one of five children, all born and raised in Beardstown. Mr. Elmore was a 1948 graduate of Beardstown High School and earned his Bachelor’s Degree from Culver Stockton College in Canton, MO and a Master’s Degree from University of Illinois/Urbana, Champaign. He was also a veteran of the United States Army having served during the Korean War.
Don married his high school sweetheart, Elizabeth “Betty” Flamme, on October 21,1951 at St. John’s Church in Beardstown. They were married for 66 years and during that time they lived the majority of the time in Glen Ellyn, working and raising their five children. Don worked as head football coach at Metamora High School (1955-1961), head sophomore football coach at Glenbard West High School in Glen Ellyn (1962 – 1968) until Glenbard North High School was built in Carol Stream, where he transferred to became the head football coach, teach science and Driver’s Education. Years later, when he retired from teaching, Betty and Don moved to Antioch, to a house on the lake. After a few years they ended up moving again to Tucson, AZ to retire. Through it all, they were together and were inseparable until her passing. Betty preceded him in death on September 18, 2017.
He is survived by three daughters, Teresa “Terri” Kowalczyk of Oro Valley, AZ, Karen (Doug) Cokinis of Batavia, and Sharon (Gerry) Betterman of Dekalb; two sons, Fred (Maryann) Elmore of Weymouth, MA and Steven (Lori) Elmore of McKinney, TX; eleven grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; one brother, Leonard Elmore of Beardstown; and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; one grandson, Michael Betterman; siblings, Jesse and Burl Elmore and Alzada Redshaw; and a son-in-law, John Kowalczyk, who passed away on January 23, 2022.
His friends and family will remember Don as an outgoing, fun, life of the party kind of guy. He had a way of working a room, talking, laughing, and making people feel comfortable. Even in his final days he was always cheerful and smiling. He was a good provider, a great father and an amazing husband. He will be missed.
A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, June 25, 2022 at the Sager Funeral Home, 202 E. 8th Street, Beardstown.
