Donal R. Lillard (1983)

LILLARD, REDMON, WOODWARD, DUNCAN, WRIGHT

Posted By: Mary Welty Hart (email)
Date: 12/23/2005 at 17:37:43

Winterset Madisonian
April 1983

Donal R. Lillard, Winterset

Donal R. Lillard, 77, who spent a career of 44 years in the Winterset schools as a teacher,
principal and superintendent, died of a stroke April 1, 1983 at the Iowa Methodist Medical Center.

During the tenure of Mr. Lillard, the Winterset district was reorganized to include 290 square miles in central Madison County,with an enrollment of 1680 pupils. After eight bond elections, a new high school was completed in 1969 with Mr. Lillard being instrumental in the organization of a cooperative Special Education program including the Winterset,Earlham and Interstate 35 Community School districts, with its headquaraters in Winterset.

Born at Red Oak, Iowa, April 1, 1906, he was the son of F. H. and Zetta Ann Redmon Lillard. He earned a bachelor's degree from Morningside College and a master's from the University of Iowa, beginning his school career as a science teacher at Lohrville, where he spent one year. He came to Winterset in 1928 as a science teacher, then became high school principal in 1934 and superintendent in 1942, He was superintendent for the next 29 years.

He was a member of AASA and IASA; a life member of the NEA, past NEA director for Iowa; a life member of the ISEA, past member-at-large, executive board of the ISEA; past chairman Area XI superintendents IHS activities council; member Phi Delta Kappa and Walt Whitman Club; War Fund Drive Chairman, American Red Cross; county chairman, Salvation Army; member and past president, Winterset Rotary Club; Member,Masonic Lodge and Order of the Eastern Star trustee and treasurer of the United Methodist Church; and a director of the West Central Mental Health Center. He had been teaching an adult Sunday School class for the past 30 years.

Mr.Lillard married the former Gem Woodward Aug. 19, 1934. She survives along with a son, David of Winterset; daughters, Mrs. Ed (Marcia) Duncan of Adrian, Mich., and Mrs. Larry (Judy) Wright of Lousanne, Switzerland; and seven grandchildren.

Preceding him in death were his parents and an infant brother.

Services were held Monday, April 4 at the First United Methodist Church with Masonic Rites. The Rev. Byron Ayers officiated. Burial was at the Winterset Cemetery.