Donald V. Koelliker, 91, of rural Robinson, died early Tuesday morning, January 12, 2016, at Vintage Park Assisted Living in Hiawatha.
Don was born May 8, 1924, at White Cloud, Kansas, one of five children born to the late Irving and Leona VanDoran Koelliker and had lived in the White Cloud-Robinson area all of his life. Don attended Hilltop country grade school prior to graduating from White Cloud High School with the class of 1942.  He was a U.S. Navy veteran of World War II, serving on the supply ship USS Clinton, discharged in 1946 at the rank of storekeeper second class. 
Mr. Koelliker was a longtime member of Zion United Methodist Church, northeast of Robinson; and an over 60 year member of Hedrick-Moll Post #148, Robinson American Legion.  He also was a member of BPOE #1741, Hiawatha Elks Lodge; and Masonic Lodge #33, AF&AM, of Hiawatha.  The many Navy shipmates reunions through the years were very important to Don and he was able to attend many of them.
 It was during the World War II era, he met and later married Kathleen Willis.  She was working as a secretary at the shipyards and Don’s ship was dry docked there.  They married December 14, 1946 at Newport News, VA.  After the war, they returned to Brown County and settled in the Zion Community, northeast of Robinson, where they farmed until retiring.  She died January 9, 2012.  Don was also preceded in death by a brother Kenneth; two sisters:  Marilyn Koelliker, Carol Weick; and daughter-in-law Sue Koelliker.
Survivors include a son Van Koelliker (Vi) of rural Robinson; three daughters:  Dee Thompson (Doug) of Osage City, KS, Dianne Carter of Glendale, AZ, Janet Huggins of Stephenville, TX; a sister Joan Seibert of Galesburg, IL; 10 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren.
A Memorial Celebration of Don’s life is planned for 11 a.m. Saturday, January 16, at Zion United Methodist Church of Robinson, with Pastor Paul Waters officiating.  Inurnment will be at Mt. Hope Cemetery, Hiawatha.  Military honors will be a courtesy of the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard.
The family will meet with friends one hour prior to services Saturday morning at the Church.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Brown County Veterans Honor Guard or Brown County Food Pantry, sent in care of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, 124 S 7th St., Hiawatha  66434.
A special message or remembrance may be sent to the family at www.chapeloaksfuneralhome.com