Donald L. Eiker

Donald L. Eiker, 76, of Bloomington and formerly of Lexington, passed away at 10:50 p.m. Monday, August 6, 2018 at his home.

His funeral will be at 6 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 at Carmody-Flynn Funeral Home, Bloomington. Private family interment will be at a later date in Lexington Township Cemetery, Lexington. Visitation will be from 4-6 p.m. Friday, August 10, 2018 at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Basketball Museum of Illinois.

He was born June 25, 1942 in Copley Township, Illinois, a son of Archie L. and Wilma M. Lewis Eiker. He married Jo A. Leafgreen on August 16, 1964 and she survives in Bloomington.

Also surviving are his children, Troy (Shawn) Eiker and Susan Wethington, both of Bloomington; five grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Jim Eiker.

Don earned a Bachelor of Science in Education at Western Illinois University and a Master of Science at Illinois State University. He spent 48 years as an educator at Lexington High School where he taught Biology, Physiology and Driver's Education.

Don began his coaching career as a football and baseball coach before becoming the head coach for boys' basketball at Lexington High School. He later coached the sophomore boys' team at Pontiac High School rom 1992-97. The "winningest" basketball coach in Lexington history, Don enjoyed a trip to the Elite 8 in Champaign in 1974 and was inducted into the Illinois Basketball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 1996.

In addition to an active role in the Lexington school system, Don oversaw the Pool and Park District in Lexington for 33 years. In his retirement, he most enjoyed gardening and tending to his squirrels and birds.