Donald C. Pittman of Bayles Lake, Loda passed away on Thursday (May 10, 2018) at the Heartland Health Care Center in Paxton, Illinois.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 2 at the Loda United Methodist Church, 200 S Locust, Loda, Illinois with Pastor Rachel Stockle officiating. Burial will be held at a later date. Baier Family Funeral Services, Paxton is assisting the family with arrangements.

Don was born on July 29, 1926 in Farmer City, Illinois, and he spent most of his life in Champaign-Urbana.

Don is survived by his wife of 68 years, Norma (Mosier) Pittman, a daughter, Donna Pittman, of Champaign, a son, Richard (Mary) Pittman of Elmhurst, three grandchildren, Callie, Mackenzie, and Donnie, also from Elmhurst, and two cousins, Ray Pittman of Batavia and Margaret Silver of Mahomet. In addition, Don had a close brotherly bond for over sixty years with Roger M. Corray and his family of St. Joseph, Illinois. Don was preceded in death by a brother, Richard L. Pittman, who was killed in action at the battle of Iwo Jima in World War II.

Don lived five of his young years at Cunningham Children's Home, attended public schools in Urbana, and graduated from Urbana High School in l944, where he participated in football, wrestling, and track. He was named as a guard on both the News-Gazette All-State Football team and the Chicago Daily News All-State Football team. He was inducted into the Urbana High School Football Hall of Fame in 1982.

In March of 1944, he enlisted in the United States Navy. He attended Gunnery School at Great Lakes, then served for almost two years as a Gunner's Mate 3 ^rd Class on a forward supply base on Manus Island in the South Pacific.

After his discharge from service, thanks to the G. I. Bill, he returned to Urbana and entered the University of Illinois, where he lettered in football his sophomore year. Injuries forced him to retire from further participation in the sport. It was during this time that he met Norma. They married on December 23, 1949, while they were both attending the University. He graduated in l951 and received his Master's Degree from the University of Illinois in 1956.

Don began his professional career of teaching and coaching at Champaign High School in 1951, then moved to Danville High School where he taught Social Studies and served as wrestling coach and assistant football coach. In 1963 he returned to Champaign Central High School as wrestling coach and assistant in football and baseball. He retired from Champaign Central in 1983 and moved to Bayles Lake near Loda, Illinois in 1984.

He was professionally honored by being inducted into the Illinois State Wrestling Hall of Fame in 1982, the National Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2003, and received the "Lifetime Service to Wrestling" award, also in 2003. He was an honorary member of Champaign Central's "C" Club and the Richard L. Pittman Marine Corps League of Champaign-Urbana. He especially appreciated being named the "2017 Outstanding Alumni" from Cunningham Children's Home.

Don was always in awe of nature, enjoyed the out-of-doors, his grandchildren, fishing, and woodworking. He was a humble man, with a gentle and loving spirit.

He was a member of the Loda United Methodist Church and the Pollywog Fishing Club for over 40 years.

His family suggests any memorial contributions be made to Cunningham Children's Home in Urbana or the Richard L. Pittman Marine Corps League at 1303 E. Main in Urbana. Condolences may be offered at www.baierfuneralservices.com.