Don Wysong, 86, New Paris, died 10:35 p.m. Thursday, May 21, 2015, at his residence.
He was born June 27, 1928, in Union Township, Elkhart County, to Harvey & Wilma (Smith) Wysong.
He married Norma (Hoover) Wysong on June 9, 1951 in New Paris.
Don was a veteran of WW II, served on the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt and was discharged in 1948. He received his BS and MS degrees in Education from Ball State University. Don was principal and teacher at Chamberlain Elementary, Goshen, for 36 years; he previously taught at Benton School for three years. Since his retirement in education, he worked in construction for nearly 20 years.
Don was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, New Paris. He worked on the Juvenile Justice Task Force Committee; the Selection Committee for Elkhart County Habitat for Humanity; along with Goshen College, started the Chamberlain Big Brothers & Sisters Program; started a breakfast program for children with Saint Marks United Methodist Church; participated in seven building trips through the Methodist Church Mission including four trips to Mexico and one to Russia; was an Elkhart County Foster Parent to three boys; a member of the New Paris Chamber of Commerce; served on the Jackson Advisory Board; was the 1987 Morning Exchange Club recipient of the Book of Golden Deeds Award; and served on the Maple City Health Care Board.
Surviving are his wife, Norma; sons: Van Alan (Peggy) Wysong, Goshen; John V. (Dawn) Wysong, New Paris; daughter: Lyn E. (Johnny) Speight, Madisonville, Ken.; five grandchildren; and brother, Richard D. (Virginia) Wysong, New Paris.
Preceding him in death are his parents and a brother, James N. Wysong.
A Celebration of Life service will be at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 30, at the Grace United Methodist Church, New Paris. Friends may greet the family following the service. Rev. Rob Nelson will officiate. Burial will be in the New Paris Cemetery. Memorials may be directed to the Chamberlain Elementary Contingency Fund or to Grace United Methodist Church.