Donald Ray Kupferschmid, 71

November 17, 1952 – November 10, 2024

Donald Ray Kupferschmid passed away peacefully into the hands of our Lord on Sunday, November 10, 2024, at Orlando Health South Lake Hospital in Clermont, Florida. After a long battle with cancer, he was ready to be with his father, mother, brothers, and sister in God's Kingdom.

Don was born Monday, November 17, 1952, in Peoria, Illinois, to Charles and Norma Jean (Sauder) Kupferschmid. He married Lynn Delheimer on August 12, 2000, in Springfield, Illinois. She survives, along with their family.

A native of Woodford County Illinois, Don graduated from Roanoke-Benson High School in 1970, where he was a member of the Chess Club. He worked for Caterpillar in Peoria for 25 years, graduating from the company's apprenticeship program.

After Caterpillar, Don joined Levi, Ray & Shoup (LRS) consulting firm in Peoria, Illinois as a Project Manager. He transferred to the Springfield office in 1999 and served as the Y2K Project Manager for the State of Illinois, overseeing and directing the conversion projects for Illinois state agencies. Don and Lynn first met in the Y2K era, a time when their mutual careers in Information Technology brought them together. He would later go on to work as a Project Manager for the Illinois Department of Transportation, reporting directly to the Secretary of Transportation.

Don earned several certifications, including a Production and Inventory Management certification from the American Production and Inventory Control Society in 1990. He was inducted into the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society in 1996 and achieved his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification in 2000.

Don was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather who loved family gatherings and hosting loved ones. He enjoyed traveling and seeking out good food. Don never met a tenderloin he wouldn't eat.

Always up for adventure, Don jumped out of a perfectly good airplane and took airboat tours through gator-infested waters. He created cherished memories with his loved ones: golf cart rides and water gun fights with the grandchildren, searching for squirrels with Ginger (his beloved dachshund), and visiting Florida attractions and restaurants with his family.

Don was there for the moments that mattered; walking his daughters down the aisle, holding his grandchildren when they were born, and attending his grandsons' graduations. He enriched his family's lives with love and encouragement, always greeting them with a hug.

Don hummed to a song that only he knew; and he lived the life that he wanted. He recognized the blessings in his life and shared them generously with all who knew him. His words of wisdom, playful banter, practicing his golf swing with a club only he could see, and his heartwarming smile and humor are already missed.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers, Joseph and Bruce Kupferschmid; and his sister and brother-in-law, Wanda and Gary Edwards.

Survivors include his wife, Lynn Kupferschmid of Leesburg, Florida; son, Scott (Vanessa Wester) Kupferschmid; daughters Tina (Kenny) Pennington and Kelli (Paul) Helmig; stepdaughter Maggie (Chris) Ueland; six grandchildren, Lucas Pennington, Bradly (Harmony) Pennington, Hayden Helmig, Elayna Helmig, Nora Ueland, Sara Ueland; one great-granddaughter, Charlie Rey Pennington; sister, Charlene (Dan) Monk; brothers, Dale (Nora) Kupferschmid and Neil Kupferschmid; and sisters-in-law, Nancy (Joe) Kupferschmid and Deb (Bruce) Kupferschmid.

Celebration of Life in Florida will be held at the Monarch Royal Highlands Crown & Shield

Restaurant, 5325 St. Andrews Arc, Leesburg, Florida on January 11, 2025 from 1p.m. to 4 p.m.

Celebration of Life in Illinois will be held at Prairie View Reception Center, 8865 State Route 4, Chatham, IL 62629 on February 8, 2025 from 1p.m. to 4p.m

Arrangements entrusted with Baldwin Brothers Funeral & Cremation Society of Wildwood,

Florida.

Website (www.baldwincremation.com)

Memorial contributions can be made in Don's name to the charity of your choice.