Donald Maynard Coller

Donald Maynard Coller, of Madison and Bloomington, Indiana, passed away on January 20, 2026. Born in Cygnet, Ohio on November 15, 1937, he was the son of Maynard Earl Coller and Ruth Winifred (Wolfe) Coller. The family, including Don and his two younger siblings, moved to Bloomington in 1949 when Maynard began his career at Indiana University. Don was a 1956 graduate of University High School in Bloomington, and later graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor's degree in accounting and then a Doctor of Jurisprudence.

Don's business spirit showed itself early. As a youngster, he had a lawn mowing business, a paper route, raised rabbits, and had an ice cream cart. However, it was during his undergraduate years at IU, when he started his first "real" business, one sorting and processing the paper coupons used in grocery stores. He did well with that, but decided his future was in real estate development. While still in law school, Don built the first off-campus student housing in Bloomington. Despite being told by the university administration that there was no need for such apartments, as well as being told by local business owners that they had to have payment up front for materials because this was such a risky venture, he persisted. If only those people could see how college housing has taken off in the years since, they might think Don Coller was onto something! After having success in several Indiana cities, Don decided his next endeavors would be in the South, and he moved to Winter Park, Florida to continue his apartment development business. That spread to other cities, including Tallahassee and Gainesville, and before anyone knew it, he also owned a resort on the Gulf of America in Homosassa, Florida. His next move was to Atlanta where he continued to manage his other ventures as well as becoming a success in the commercial warehouse business.

Along the way, Don pursued a variety of hobbies. He loved to garden and fish, but his favorite hobby was, of course, the dogs. He began by showing primarily Dobermans, and had several champions at the national level. But his love of hunting dogs brought him to Madison over 23 years ago. He began with German Shorthair Pointers, and along with his son, Ben, the trainer in chief, earned national championships at field trials. Most recently, he and his wife, Patricia (Turner), bred English Setters. These beautiful dogs won so many awards, that the English Setter Association put out the word that they should give someone else a chance!

While Don accomplished so much, he also managed to be a good friend and a good family man. He encouraged everyone to pursue things other than work. Whether it was taking his son, Matt, on one of many fishing trips; going to horse shows and swimming meets with his daughter, Maribeth, and son, Ben; trying to teach his grandchildren to ride horses (they did not take to it) or treating them to a vacation; teaching his great grandchildren to drive the ATV; or inviting friends to visit with Pat and him wherever they might be; it was always his relationships that mattered the most.

It is with heavy hearts that we say farewell to Don, Mr. Coller, Papa Don, Mr. Don, and Dad. We will hold him close within our hearts, and there he will remain, to walk and guide us through our lives until we meet again.

In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his sister, MaryAnne Olsen, his son, David Wolfe Coller, and his grandson, Jesse Chewning. Left to mourn him are his devoted wife and constant companion, Pat; his children, Ben Coller (Cristal), Maribeth Coller (Gene Chewning), and Matt Coller (Rivkah Roby); his brother, David Coller (Bertie), and brother in law, Larry Olsen; his uncle, Ralph Wolfe; four grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

The family will greet visitors at Allen Funeral Home in Bloomington, Indiana on January 31, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. prior to the funeral service at 2:00 p.m. A celebration of life reception will follow at Woolery Mill, 2250 W Sunstone Dr., Bloomington, IN. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made to the Humane Society of Morgan County; online at www.humanemorgan.org/donate/ or call (706) 343-9977.