Champion for the Ages - A Tribute to a Legend	by Charles M. Sutton
Central States Archaeological Societies 2026 January Journal	Harrisburg, Illinois

This issue of the Central States Archaeological 2026 January Journal can be purchased on-line after March 2027

Donald E. Champion of Tell City, Indiana, died on October 30, 2023. He was born in Indianapolis on March 17, 1931 to Edward and Gertrude (Lauer) Champion and raised in Perry County. Don was a veteran of the United States Army. He served in Korea and also was stationed in Japan where Don met his wife, Wako. They married in 1954 and moved to Indiana and raised their family in Tell City. Before relocating and as a condition of marriage and family, Wako asked Don to make her a promise…she would offer her hand in marriage and move to the United States, if, upon being blessed with any children, Don would provide them with a college education. Don agreed to her condition and proceeded to do just that.

Don worked two jobs much of his life and countless hours of overtime. He retired as a crane operator from the International Union of Operating Engineers. Don also worked at City Chair Company and Maxim Marine. He worked during the construction of the Rockport power plant. A devoted husband to Wako and father to his children, Don honored his wife’s wishes and educated each of his four children in universities of higher learning.

Don was a man of humility, a steward of the good Earth. He enjoyed raising cattle at his property near Rome, Indiana, where he farmed and raised a big vegetable garden. Fishing at his farm ponds and on the ...

Read other great columns in the Central States Archaeological Societies 2026 January Journal which can be purchased on-line after March 2024