Don Roger Kohler

Don Roger Kohler, age 85, of La Grande, died July 15, 2019 at his home.  Viewing will be held on Thursday, July 25, 2019 at Daniels~Knopp Funeral, Cremation & Life Celebration Center, 1502 7th Street from 4:00 until 6:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held on Friday, July 26, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. at the Church of Latter-day Saints Stake Center 1802 Gekeler Lane in La Grande. Vault interment will follow at the Hillcrest Cemetery.

Don was born on February 16, 1934, the son of Ernest and Mary Irene (Atkinson) Kohler in Union, Oregon.  He graduated from La Grande High School with the class of 1953.  He worked for Union Pacific Railroad as a brakeman and enlisted in the National Guard for a time before enlisting in the United States Army.  On May 18, 1956 he married Ellen Etta Jones in the Salt Lake City LDS Temple. They moved to Pendleton in 1964 where he built Frostop Drive-in restaurant while working for the railroad. He was a member and past President of the Pendleton Jaycees.  They returned back to La Grande in 1976.  He enjoyed being a contractor and built and added onto many houses over the years.  He owned Sunshine Used Cars and car wash and later Sunshine Motors.  He was a landlord to various properties.  He followed high school sports and was an umpire for Little League and high school baseball and even a few college playoff games.  He was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints La Grande 1st ward and the local renter's association.

Survivors include his wife, Ellen Kohler of La Grande; children, Dan and Lisa Kohler of Keizer, Oregon, Gordon and Melissa Kohler of La Grande, Donna Kohler of Clarkston, Washington and Maria and Tae Kim of South Korea; brother Kenneth Kohler of Lacey, Washington; sixteen grandchildren; seventeen great grandchildren and other relatives and friends.  He was preceded in death by siblings, Lucille Burke and Allan, Keith, David and Robert Kohler.

Those who wish may make contributions in his memory to the Family History Center or the Humanitarian Aid in care of the LDS Church, 1802 Gekeler, La Grande, OR 97850.

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Funeral Service

Friday, July 26, 2019
2:00 PM

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
702 N Main Street
Union, Oregon 97850