Donald W. (Don) Koller |
| Posted 2008-07-29 by Judy Wight Branson |
| The Daily Courier, Prescott, AZ 10/11/2005 Donald W. Koller Donald W. Koller, age 68, died Wednesday, October 5 in the loving arms of his wife at home in Prescott Valley, Arizona. He had bravely battled cancer for two years. He gave his life to Jesus Christ in January 2004. He was born July 9, 1937 to Harold and Violet (Muehlberg) Koller in Sheboygan, Wisc. He was raised on the family farm in Little Kohler, Wisconsin in Ozaukee, County until he joined the US Marine Corps in 1956. He was stationed at El Toro Marine Air Base in Orange County, Calif. Louise followed him to California and they were married in Santa Ana in 1958. He achieved the rank of Lance Corporal E3 and was honorably discharged in 1959. He and Louise returned to Wisconsin to start their family. They purchased wooded property from Don's dad and built a lovely home where they raised four children. Don was an entrepreneur and was self employed most of his life. In Wisconsin he co-owned and operated a milk route, picking up milk from the farms and transporting it to the dairy. He also ran a successful coffee service prior to moving to Chino Valley in 1974. He and Louise ran many businesses, including Northern Arizona Hearing Aid Co and most recently, Smith Electronics. He also built many homes in Chino and Prescott Valley. Don had a lifelong passion for flying and airplanes. He and his brother grew up admiring crop dusters and war planes and building models. He was a flight mechanic in the Marine Corps and avidly built and flew radio controlled model planes. He was able to finish a quarter-scale P51 Mustang and to fly his prized Stearman just months before he died. He had owned an ultra light in the 1980s and would get up before dawn to take off from the road in front of our house at daybreak so he could soar above like a bird. Don enjoyed sharing his hobbies and wisdom and was past president of the Casa de Aero R-C Club, and a member of the Chino Valley Model Aviators and the Tri-City R-C Flyers. He was greatly appreciated for his advice and wisdom and willingness to help. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He was preceded in death by his son Tim, and is survived by his wife of 46 years, Louise (Mayer), son Wayne Koller of Jerome, daughters Lisa Hale and her husband Richard of Prescott Valley and Malinda Dunton and her husband Ron of San Diego, Calif. and six grandchildren Eli, Kylie, Richard, Mariah, Rachel, and Olivia. Also survived by his brother Terry (Judy) Koller of Mequon, Wisc. and sisters Joanne (Palmer) Schmidt of Grafton, Wisc. and Marcie (Jerry) Brandt of Eau Claire, Wisc. Visitation will be held at Heritage Memory Mortuary, 131 Grove Avenue, Prescott, Az., on Wednesday, October 12 at 10:30 am, with a memorial service at 11:30, followed by internment at Mountain View Cemetery. In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations to The Potter;s House, P.O. Box 2448 Prescott, Az., 86302 or Hospice Family Care, 100 East Sheldon #100, Prescott, Az., 86301. See Also: Find A Grave |
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