Donald D. Uphoff, 78, of Washington, passed away at 11:00 p.m., Monday, December 15, 2008 at his home with his family at his side.

Don was born on May 16, 1930 in Minonk to John and Florence Baumann Uphoff. He married Elizabeth M. “Betty” Gutherz in Minonk on November 22, 1951. Betty survives.

Also surviving is one daughter, Beth (Alan) Black of Washington; four grandchildren, Randall, Sarah, Daniel and Samuel Black; three brothers, Dean (Ann) Uphoff of West Hartford, Connecticut, David Uphoff of Minonk and Daryle Uphoff of Excelsior, Minnesota and several nieces and nephews. One daughter, Ann Lynn Uphoff, preceded him in death.

Don had been a teacher, coach and principal at Washington Grade School District 52, In 1973, he began his banking career in Chillicothe, where he eventually became the president of First National Bank. In 1983, he returned to Washington to serve as president of Heartland Bank and Trust.

He was a veteran having served four years in the U. S. Air Force.

Don earned his bachelors degree in education from Illinois State Normal University in 1952. He earned a masters degree in school administration from Bradley University and had done some postgraduate work at the University of Wisconsin at Platteville.

He was a member of Evangelical United Methodist Church in Washington, where he helped established the Lillie Wisthoff Scholarship Fund, which he administered for many years. He also served on many other committees at church.

Don was very active in various civic activities, and belonged to the Washington Rotary Club, where he served as the president and was named a Paul Harris Fellow. He served on the fund raising and endowment committees of the Washington Historical Society and also served as treasurer. Don was on the Police Pension Board for 24 ½ years. He was on the original Washington 2000 Foundation, which was in charge of securing the land for the Washington Area Community Center (Five Points). He was an active volunteer in the planning and building of the community center. Don was the recipient of the Washingtonian Award in 1995 for recognition of his volunteer efforts for the community.

Don loved any and all sports and especially enjoyed watching his grandchildren play. He was an avid golfer, having played courses across the United States and Scotland. One of his favorite sports highlights was seeing his beloved Chicago White Sox win the 2005 World Series.

Don was a loving and caring husband, father, grandfather and friend and a respected community leader.

A memorial service to celebrate Don’s life will be held on Saturday at 1 p.m. at the Evangelical United Methodist Church with Pastor John Hauck officiating. Burial of ashes will occur at a later date in the family plot in the Minonk Township Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Mason-White Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, please make memorials to Evangelical United Methodist Church, Washington Historical Society or Washington Area Community Center Foundation.

Eulogy by son-in-law Al Black and daughter Beth Black

Mason-White Funeral Home guest registry