Donald "Kosh" Havrilka

Donald “Kosh” Eugene Havrilka, 92, of Pana, Illinois passed away Friday, April 26, 2024 at 5:45 PM at St. John’s Hospital, Springfield, Illinois. A Funeral Mass will be offered Saturday, May 4, 2024 at 10:00 AM in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pana, Illinois with Father Joseph Havrilka officiating. Visitation will also be Saturday, May 4, 2024 at Kennedy & Sons Funeral Home, Pana from 9:00 AM until time of Mass. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Pana Township, Illinois. Memorials in honor of Don are asked to be made to St. Patrick’s Catholic Church or Pana Community Hospital in lieu of flowers. Donald was born July 25, 1931 in Christian, County, Illinois the son of Stephen Joseph and Emma G. (maiden name Verhagen) Havrilka. Don attended Pana Schools, including the North School, for his early education. He graduated Pana Township High School with the Class of 1947 at the age of 16. He served in the U.S. Navy for 2 years during the Korean War. Don qualified for engineering school and was able to accomplish this while in the Navy. After the service, “Kosh” worked at Mallory Timers Company for years in a management position where he met his bride-to-be, Joyce. Don married Joyce L. Vits on May 13, 1961 in St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pana, Illinois. For the last 17 years of his work life, “Kosh” commuted to and from Auburn, Illinois for a lead engineering position at Dickey-John Corporation. Don was a devout Catholic belonging to both St. Patrick’s Catholic Church, Pana and Pana Knights of Columbus, Council #896. “Kosh” played softball for years beginning at middle school age and continuing through his mid-forties. He played baseball in high school for the Pana Panthers and later for the Pana Blues. He even played ball on his huge transport ship in the Navy, USS Talladega (APA/LPA-208). “Kosh” was a “top bowler” in Pana for many years. Don loved traveling with his wife, Joyce. Auctions were a highlight. In winter, they worked 500-piece puzzles together. In spring and summer “Kosh” gardened, growing vegetables and tending flowers. This smart man loved reading newspapers from Pana, Taylorville, and Decatur. He worked the crosswords and Sudoku, and more recently wordsearches. One of his very favorite things was watching the St. Louis Cardinals games. He also enjoyed going to Pana High School football games. “Kosh” was well-known for the huge Christmas tree that is decorated in front of his home on West Seventh Street. Don is preceded in death by his Parents; Wife: Joyce, who died May 14, 2019; and Brother: Paul, who died January 3, 2015.

Donald "Kosh" Havrilka

July 25, 1931 - April 26, 2024