University News
Donald Frank Mapes Obituary
January 22, 2024
MACOMB, IL - - Western Illinois University Department of Kinesiology Professor Emeritus Donald Frank Mapes, of Naperville, IL, passed away peacefully Dec. 20.
Prior to WIU, Mapes was an assistant professor at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, from 1962-1968, and taught physical education at Shenendehowa Central School, Clifton Park, NY, from 1953-1957. He coached Varsity Basketball, Cross Country and taught physical education at Burnt Hills Ballston Lake in New York from 1957-1958.
Starting at WIU in 1968, Mapes taught Kinesiology for 30 years, retiring in 1998. His focus was in anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, and mechanical analysis. While at WIU he spent many years running the clock at football games, score keeping at basketball games and officiating at track meets.
Mapes graduated from Milne School Albany State Teachers College in New York in 1948 and graduated in 1964 with a doctorate from the University of Iowa.
He is survived by his wife Joan Mardell Comfort, the love of his life, and two daughters, Cynthia (Steven) Harms, Naperville, IL, and Marjorie (Richard) Phillips Mason, MI, and one son, Jay (Mariann Niedzwiecki) Mapes, Elmhurst, IL; eight grandchildren, Amanda Harms DPT, (Dr. Brock) Nelson DDS, Hays, KS; Matthew Harms, Naperville, IL; Kristin Phillips, East Lansing, MI; Traci Phillips, East Lansing, MI; Stacy Phillips, Mason, MI; Pierceson Mapes, Elmhurst, IL; Sarah Mapes, Elmhurst, IL and Anna Mapes, Elmhurst, IL. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, two brothers, Robert (Fortune) and Lawrence (Lois) Mapes and two sisters, Elizabeth (Robert) Nielsen-Zaccaro (Rev. Victor Zaccaro) and Mary (Dr. Seeley Phillips DVM).
Don was passionate at growing roses, showing them, judging at local, district and national American Rose Society (ARS) rose shows and won many trophies.
He was a life member of the ARS, chair of ARS Consulting Rosarians – Illinois-Indiana District, ARS Silver Honor medal, Outstanding Rose Judge, Outstanding Rose Consultant. In addition, Mapes was an avid member of Wesley United Methodist Church and served on many boards, including Administrative Board, Pastor-Parish Committee, Board of Trustees, and longtime member of Methodist Men .
Contributions can be made to the WIU Foundation, at wiu.edu/give. A celebration of life will be held at a later date.
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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