Donald J. Bolinger, 80
Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:32 AM EDT
Donald J. Bolinger, 80, Kokomo, passed away Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at his home.
He was born April 9, 1924 in Clay Township, Kokomo, to Victor C. Bolinger and Corrine
Coulter Bolinger. He graduated from Clay Township High School, and then attended Indiana
University at Bloomington where he earned a bachelor of science degree in business and a
Doctor of Jurisprudence degree from the Indiana University School of Law. While at Indiana
University he served on the Board of Aeons, the Pershing Rifles and as Senior Class
President.
Bolinger moved back to Kokomo in 1947 and began the practice of law, which he continued
for 57 years. The law firm he started continues on with his partners, Donald J. Bolinger
II and Matthew M. Golitko. He was appointed to fill the vacant city judge position in
1950, then successfully ran for election as a Democrat for three terms, leaving the bench
in 1963.
He was known as a zealous advocate for his clients and distinguished himself as one of the
top family law attorneys in the state.
Bolinger's success as a lawyer led to a diverse array of investment and business
ventures taking him from the oil fields of Texas and Illinois to Bavaria and many points
in between the two. Despite these successes, his first love was the practice of law.
He is survived by a sister, Eleanor B. Schneider; a son, Donald J. Bolinger II and his
wife, Leslie V. Bolinger; a grandson, Donald J. "Bo" Bolinger III; a step-son,
Dr. Robert Leffert Jr. and his wife, Connie Leffert; a step-daughter, Debra Dagwell, and
her husband, David Dagwell; three step-grandsons, Dr. Robert Leffert III, Dr. John Keary
Leffert and Zachary Shuck; and three step-granddaughters, Heather Leffert, Dee Ann
(Dagwell) Benson and Stacia (Dagwell) Hamsho.
He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife, Betty J. Overton Bolinger.
Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday at Shirley & Stout Funeral Home,
Lincoln Road Chapel, 1315 W. Lincoln Road, with Father Richard Lightsey officiating.
Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m.
Friday at the funeral home.
Cora L. Hawley, 86
Thursday, April 7, 2005 1:32 AM EDT
Cora L. Hawley, 86, Peru, was called home to be with the Lord Tuesday, April 5, 2005 at
approximately 7:35 p.m. at Dukes Memorial Hospital. She will be sadly missed by her many
friends and family.
She was born July 15, 1918 in Wabash County to Barton and Rhoda Draper Eckelbarger. She
married Robert L. Hawley Feb. 14, 1937, and he preceded her in death Feb. 19, 1989.
Hawley was a licensed practical nurse at Dukes Memorial Hospital, retiring in 1988. She
also was a member of First Church of Christ, the Women of the Moose and a former member of
the Eastern Star. Her hobbies included playing bingo and euchre.
Survivors include three sons, Robert E. Hawley and wife Jo, Gary Hawley and wife Vicky,
and Walter Hawley and wife Carolyn, all of Peru; seven grandchildren, Suzy and husband
Tom, Chad and wife Katrina, Gary and wife Brenda, Dennis and wife Patty, Melissa and
husband Gerald, and Janet and Angela; and 11 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband; her parents; a sister, Elnora Brooks; and two
brothers, Ovid and Clarence Eckelbarger.
The funeral will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Flowers-Leedy Funeral Home, Peru, with Pastor
Bob Damron officiating. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery, Peru. Friends may call from
2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to
the First Church of Christ.