Donald L. Kording

Donald "Don" L. Kording
Jacksonville - Donald Lawrence Kording, 74, of Jacksonville, IL, died peacefully at his home in the early hours of Wednesday, July 19, 2023.
No husband was more dedicated to his beloved wife, no father could have shown more love for his children, no "Grampy" could have taken more delight in his grandkids, and no kinder or more loyal man could have loved his friends and neighbors more fiercely than Don Kording. He was so proud of his family and friends, and all who were privileged to know and love him count themselves honored to have done so. Words alone will never suffice to express how deeply the great loss of his passing will be felt by those who must remain here on earth while he now rests peacefully with God in his promotion to heaven.
Don was born Nov. 17, 1948, in Pittsburgh, PA, the son of George W. Sr., and Viola (Dolenc) Kording. He married Lois Elaine Hinrichs on Aug. 14, 1971, in Petersburg, and she survives. They were happily married just shy of 52 years. They lived most of their adult lives in Jacksonville, where they raised their family.
Don also is survived by three children, Scott (Melanie) Kording of Bloomington, Susie (Adam) Glosier of St. Louis, MO, and Sherie (Elias) Trace of Jacksonville; and eight grandchildren: Genevieve and Gideon Kording; Penelope, Franklin, and Fitzgerald Glosier; and Edison, Henry, and Maxwell Trace. He is further survived by two sisters, Diane Bottom of Tallula and Linda McCombs of Petersburg; and two brothers, Robert (Sharon) Kording of Williamsville and David (Kathy) Kording of Eau Claire, WI. He leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and other family members; countless dear friends; and his poodle, Manny.
Don was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mary Lou Hamilton (surviving husband, Shelby of Belleville); brother, George W. "Willie" Kording, Jr. (surviving wife, Daneita of Jacksonville); and two brothers-in-law, James Bottom and John McCombs.
When his family relocated to Central Illinois in his youth, Don attended elementary school in Tallula and graduated from PORTA High School (Petersburg). He earned a bachelor of science degree in physical education from McKendree College and a master of arts degree in orientation and mobility from Western Michigan University. His teaching career began at Routt Catholic High School, where he coached several sports. He later taught orientation and mobility skills to students at the Illinois School for the Visually Impaired. After earning his administrative certificate, he was appointed Assistant Regional Superintendent of Schools. Don later was elected three times and served 10 years as the Regional Superintendent of Schools for a region then serving all schools in Brown, Cass, Morgan, and Scott counties. Upon retiring from his superintendency, Don served briefly as visiting professor of education at Illinois College.
Don and Lois brought up their children attending First Christian Church in Jacksonville. They owned and operated Don's Sports Shop for a decade starting in 1980. Over nearly 40 years he amassed an incredible collection of baseball memorabilia organized into his treasured, museum-like "baseball room" in their home.
Don's love of sports began early in life. He grew up playing "Indian Ball" with his father, brothers, and friends. He played high school baseball, basketball, and football, and played college baseball at McKendree College as a pitcher and infielder. Perhaps best known regionally as a prolific softball player, he played on and managed men's slow-pitch softball teams for more than 30 years throughout Illinois. An excellent hitter, he sported a very high batting average during his entire softball career. He and his Jacksonville Lincoln-Douglas Savings & Loan teammates won the Class "A" state men's softball championship in 1976 and were inducted into the Hall of Fame of the American Softball Association of Illinois in 2015. He enjoyed attending the Illinois High School Association boys' state basketball tournaments with friends every spring, and watching high school, college, and professional baseball, basketball, and football year-round. He also enjoyed hunting and taking his grandkids fishing.
Don lived to serve others. Whether a close family member, friend, or total stranger, anyone with a need would find him fully committed to selflessly giving his time and resources to meet it. No call for help was too big, too small, or too far away to prevent him from leaping into action. Generous to a fault, he would stay up late most nights preparing meals and baked goods of all kinds to deliver to family, friends, or ill neighbors. One would be hard pressed to visit him at home and somehow manage to leave without a freshly baked fruit pie or some other delicacy in tow.
Don's greatest joys in life came from time with his family, to which he was ever-devoted. From attending horse shows with his wife to overseeing major renovation projects in his kids' homes, and from watching his grandkids' sporting events to playing cards with his siblings—he cherished his family immensely. Through his matchless love for, and the time he invested in, his family, friends, and community, Don's life unquestionably will impact many generations to come. He already is greatly missed, but his is a life that will never be forgotten by those who knew and loved him. With heartfelt gratitude to God for Don's presence in their lives, his surviving family and friends wish him eternal rest peace, until we see him again in the hereafter.
Funeral services will be held 3:00 P.M. on Sunday, July 23, 2023, at the Buchanan & Cody Funeral Home in Jacksonville, with burial at Diamond Grove Cemetery. The family will meet friends from 12:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. prior to the service at the funeral home.
Memorial gifts are suggested to the "Kording Family Memorial Fund" maintained at Petefish, Skiles & Co. bank in Jacksonville. Condolences may be sent online at buchanancody.com.