COLUMBUS
Donald Schillerstrom Prince passed away peacefully in Columbus, Indiana on January 4, 2018 at the age of 84.
After successfully living a strong 10 years with leukemia, he is now at rest with God.
Born November 21, 1933, he was the son of the late Paul and Frances Prince, and grew up in a large family on a farm outside Fairfield, Iowa.
Don is survived by his wife of 61 years, Shirley Anderson Prince; daughter, Karyn (Chip) Smitson, son, Scott (Dayna) Prince; grandchildren, Zachary, Tyler and Chad Smitson, and Gage and Summer Prince, all of Carmel, Indiana. He is also survived by brothers, David (Mary) Prince of St. Louis and Robert (Judy) Prince of Minneapolis, sister, Rose Emry of San Diego, and several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by brothers Rodger (Marolynn), Joseph and Allen Prince.
Don was a man of quiet but strong faith who passionately believed that hard work is essential to a life well lived. He valued loyalty, integrity, intelligence, self-reliance and patriotism.
He was a voracious reader of historical figure biographies and a fan of various professional, collegiate, and grandchildren’s sports teams.
Don loved annually visiting the Iowa farm with his siblings.
While he always publicly displayed a professional demeanor, he unleashed his sense of humor on his family.
Most importantly, he was especially proud of his children and grandchildren and their accomplishments.
Upon his death, Don was employed as First Vice President, Financial Consultant at Hilliard Lyons in Columbus, where it was his true pleasure to help clients with their financial management needs for 31 years.
Before that, Don worked for Cummins Inc. for 27 years in various financial roles. He enjoyed the international division and serving as a plant controller.
Don’s career began humbly in sales at The Brown’s Shoe Fit Co. in Fairfield, Iowa, where his early independence and farm work ethic helped him to pay for his own college education. He never stopped telling stories of those bootstrap days.
Eventually he went on to earn his M.B.A. from the University of Iowa.
He served with the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and the U.S. Army, which stationed him (with Shirley) in France for two years.
Don and Shirley have been members of First United Methodist Church for 58 years, where Don was former Chair of the Board of Trustees, served on various finance and planning committees, and enjoyed ushering.
He was on the board for Big Brothers Big Sisters, led an investment club, and was a former member of Kiwanis International, Columbus Jaycees, and Harrison Lake Country Club.
Don and Shirley loved to travel and, in particular, he enjoyed domestic and international travel with The Wilderness Wanderers, a Columbus hiking group.
There will be a Memorial Service at 1 p.m. on Saturday, January 20, 2018 at First United Methodist Church (618 8th St., Columbus). Immediately following the service, family, friends, and clients are invited to visit with the family at a nearby Celebration of Life Reception from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. at The Commons, Miller-Tangeman Upper Lobby (300 Washington St., Columbus, street or garage parking, thecommonscolumbus.com).
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to First United Methodist Church (618 8th St., Columbus, IN 47201) or to The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (www.LLS.org/Indiana; 9075 N. Meridian St. #150, Indianapolis, IN 46260). Special memories may be shared at www.barkesweaverglick.com.
