Donald Stuart Templeton

Donald Stuart Templeton was born on June 15, 1944, to Marjorie J. and Charles W. Templeton, in Sullivan, IN, at Mary Sherman Hospital and passed away peacefully at 8:14 p.m. on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at IU West Hospital, Avon, IN, surrounded by family and church worship leaders.

Don was a 1962 graduate of Plainfield High School and attended Indiana State University.  He served in the Army National Guard of Indiana and as a Reserve of the Army, being honorably discharged in 1971 after serving as General Robert Morehead’s personal aide.

Don met Marilyn Myers on a blind date in January of 1975.   It was discovered that evening that Don and Marilyn were 2nd cousins. Marilyn’s mother was Phyllis Templeton Myers. After exchanging the same Snoopy card that first Valentine’s Day about following each other to the ends of the earth, Don and Marilyn were married on June 5, 1976, at Meridian Street United Methodist Church, Indianapolis.  God’s hand seemed to be continually at play, as their love story with all life’s ups and downs continued 47 years.

Don was a top commercial printing salesman at Benham Press in Indianapolis. One of his favorite projects was a coffee table book of reproductions of Culver alumni collection pieces.  Retiring from Benham Press after 25 years, Don rounded out his career in the world of car sales and then became the shuttle van driver for Westgate Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram of Plainfield.  Shuttling passengers to and from the dealership was fun for Don because of his very friendly personality.

Don loved competition, playing football, and pole-vaulting on the track team in high school; water skiing and snow skiing; showing open jumpers; and racing R/C cars, hydroplanes, and sailboats.  Don was also naturally musical, playing the guitar, piano, and drums by ear.  He subbed in his brother’s and cousin’s dance band, The Starlighters, and played later in his band The Tempos.  Don was also artistic and had an engineering mind with his precise project drawings.

Don was predeceased by his parents, brother Robert Joe Templeton, and his beloved Golden Retrievers Doc and Brittany.

Don and Marilyn did not have children, but they had nieces, nephews and young cousins who dearly loved their Pied Piper uncle.  He was the same with the neighborhood children, as well.  He always had lots of “toys.”

In addition to his wife Marilyn, Don is survived by his beloved Golden Retriever Jessie-girl who laid beside his  hospice bedside; half-brother Chuck Templeton (Cleta) and their children Mark and Michelle (Paul McCoy) and their families; sister-in-law JoAnn Templeton and her children Shannon Postier (David); Rob; and Tracy Luckino (Dino) and their families; cousin Bob Detty (Margie) and their sons Brian (Kelli) and Eric (Diane) and their families; brother-in-law Andy Myers (Jennifer) and their sons Phillip and James; sister-in-law Polly Hickcox and her children Stratton (Britney) and family; Katie; and Cole; brother-in-law John Myers (Amy) and their sons Charlie (Jessica); Billy (Tina) and their child; and Tom.

An “army” of loving 2nd cousins are also left to mourn Don’s passing.

A Memorial Service for Don will be held on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at noon, at Avon United Methodist Church with Pastor Danny Walker presiding.  A Celebration of Life Gathering will be held immediately following at the Washington Township Park Pavilion Center (indoors), 435 Whipple Lane, Avon, IN  46123.  For family and friends unable to attend, the Memorial Service will be live streamed on the church website www.avonumc.com.

If you would like to remember Don with a memorial donation, the family asks kindly to consider the following: Avon United Methodist Church, 6850 E US Highway 36, Avon, IN  46123; GRRACE, Inc. (Golden Retriever Rescue and Community Education), P.O. Box 513, Plainfield, IN  46168; or the Plainfield Police K-9 Fund, Attn: K-9 Officer Rob Prichard and K-9 Jocko, 1075 W Main Street, Plainfield, IN  46168.  Thank you so very much.

Arrangements are entrusted to Mark Baker at Hall-Baker Funeral Home in Plainfield, IN who has cared for generations of the Templeton family.

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