Donald Lee Kilian, Jr., 67, of Independence, Missouri, moved to Heaven on Friday, April 7, 2023.
Donald was known to friends and family as “Don” or “Donnie”. He was born in Russell, Kansas on March 29, 1956. He was the fourth of six children born to Donald Lee and Mary Ann Kilian.
Don graduated from Russell High School in 1974, where he enjoyed band, football and tennis. He attended Salina Vo-Tech in Salina, Kansas, and upon graduation went to work for Ryder for 17 years. He then went on to retire from Cummins after 27 years of service.
Don married Ardys Rader in September of 1979. They had two children; Amanda Sue and Dustin Lee. Following divorce, he chose Carla Cotton to be his special lady and they shared 31 years together up to his passing.
Don loved all sports but was a major fan of the Kansas City Chiefs, Kansas City Royals and the Kansas Jayhawks. Golfing and hunting were several of his favorite past times. Most important to him was quality time spent visiting with friends and family.
Don was an active member of the Independence Moose Fraternity Lodge #2414 from 2008 until his passing. Over the years of his fellowship, he served in many different roles on the Lodge Board of Officers and the Missouri-North Kansas Moose Association Executive Board. He served as Lodge Administrator from 2017 – 2020. In 2015, he received the Fellowship Degree of Honor.
Don was a loving dad, son, brother, uncle and a very proud recent grandpa of Dax, born in January of 2023 to Amanda and Jared.
Don is survived by Companion, Carla Cotton of Independence, Missouri; children, Amanda Kilian (companion Jared) of Springfield, Missouri and Dustin Kilian (Ambur) of Orrick, Missouri; grandson, Dax VanDyne of Springfield, Missouri; Carla’s children, Joyce Provost (Scott) of Lee Summit, Missouri and Frank Cotton of Independence, Missouri; Carla’s grandson, Bradley Buntin (Kelley) of Liberty, Missouri and Carla’s great granddaughter Etta; siblings Sheila Verbraken (Michael) of Mesa, Arizona, Sonya Voorhies (Rick) of Show Low, Arizona, Sam Kilian (Cheryl) of Russell, Kansas, and Dwight Kilian (Sandy) of Phoenix, Arizona; and many nieces, nephews, cousins as well as many, many friends.
Don was preceded in death by his mother, Mary Kilian; brother, “Whitey” Kilian; and father, Donald L. Kilian, Sr.
Don is deeply loved by his family and friends and will truly be missed.
Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 1:00 PM, Sunday, June 25, 2023 at the Moose Lodge in Kansas City, Missouri. Graveside service will be held at 3:00 PM, Monday, June 26, 2023 at St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell. No visitation being held. Memorials have been established with the Kansas City Hospice and Palliative Care or the Moose Charities – Moosehead Child City and School.