Donald Wayne Root
December 9th, 1933 - April 23rd, 2026
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Donald's Obituary
Donald Wayne Root, 92, passed away following a battle with Parkinson’s disease at the Ciel Memory Care Unit in Fayetteville, Arkansas on April 23, 2026. Wayne’s life was defined by service, faith, and devotion to family.
He was born on December 9,1933, in Peoria, Illinois to Donald Elliott Root and Mary Velma Odell.
Wayne met the love of his life, Phyllis Ann Williamson, in the second grade in Peoria. They were high school sweethearts at Woodruff High School and eloped at age 18, beginning a remarkable partnership that spanned 73 years until Phyllis’s death on December 7, 2025.
While raising their young family, Wayne completed his bachelor’s degree at Bradley University and, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Lewis, entered the Methodist ministry. He served congregations in Hanna City, Dana, Rutland, Philo and Savoy, Illinois, before moving his family to St. Joseph, Michigan in 1963.
In Michigan, Wayne’s employment reflected his enduring commitment to community, social justice and a belief in the dignity of all people. He served with the Boy Scouts of America, United Migrant Opportunity Services, and Head Start. A lifelong learner, he earned a master’s degree in sociology from Western Michigan University and taught for 25 years at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor while serving as chairperson of the Sociology Department.
Wayne also continued his ministry, from 1970 to 1989, Christian United Church of Christ in Sawyer, Michigan where his children were married. In addition, serving as part-time pastor of First Christian Church of Dowagiac, Paw Paw Church of Christ at the end of his career.
A State of Illinois medal champion in sprint and relay running, Wayne later supported his youngest daughters in track. Giving generously of his time outside of his professional life, he supported the Blossom Time Parade and was a chaplain and volunteer for the St. Joseph Police Department. Wayne was a passionate woodworker making multiple items of furniture for family and lent his beautiful singing voice to church choirs. An adoring father and grandfather, he cherished attending sporting and school events and taking family to Chicago Cubs games or fishing at their summer retreat in Wisconsin.
He is survived by his five children and their families: Jodie Root and Gregory Gilmet, M.D., of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and their daughters, Caitlin Gilmet and Steve Darnley of Portland, Maine, and Kelsey Gilmet of Fayetteville; Valyn Root Bahm and Dennis Bahm of Clayton, North Carolina, and their children, Andrew and Melissa Bahm of Clayton, Molly Bahm of Los Angeles, and Joshua Bahm of Chicago; Mark Root and Tina Root, of Norton Shores, Michigan, and their daughter, Claire Root-Benson and Derek Benson of Muskegon; Peggy Root Wolff and Jeffrey Wolff of Reno, Nevada, and their sons, Allen Wolff of Reno and Eric and Sarah Wolff of Las Vegas; and Janel Root Groth and Ron Groth of St. Joseph and North Fort Myers, Florida, and their daughters, Gillian and Cody Korfmacher of St. Joseph and Alyssa and Tyler Connell of Tacoma, Washington. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren.
The family will gather for celebrations of Wayne and Phyllis’s lives and scattering of joint ashes. A visitation will be held June 26th from 4-6 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, with a service to be held at the First Congregational Church June 27th at 11AM. A luncheon will follow the service. A tree planting memorial will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas with Ciel assisted living staff. Finally, a memorial will be held late summer at the Blue Ridge cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Donald online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
He was born on December 9,1933, in Peoria, Illinois to Donald Elliott Root and Mary Velma Odell.
Wayne met the love of his life, Phyllis Ann Williamson, in the second grade in Peoria. They were high school sweethearts at Woodruff High School and eloped at age 18, beginning a remarkable partnership that spanned 73 years until Phyllis’s death on December 7, 2025.
While raising their young family, Wayne completed his bachelor’s degree at Bradley University and, following in the footsteps of his older brother, Lewis, entered the Methodist ministry. He served congregations in Hanna City, Dana, Rutland, Philo and Savoy, Illinois, before moving his family to St. Joseph, Michigan in 1963.
In Michigan, Wayne’s employment reflected his enduring commitment to community, social justice and a belief in the dignity of all people. He served with the Boy Scouts of America, United Migrant Opportunity Services, and Head Start. A lifelong learner, he earned a master’s degree in sociology from Western Michigan University and taught for 25 years at Lake Michigan College in Benton Harbor while serving as chairperson of the Sociology Department.
Wayne also continued his ministry, from 1970 to 1989, Christian United Church of Christ in Sawyer, Michigan where his children were married. In addition, serving as part-time pastor of First Christian Church of Dowagiac, Paw Paw Church of Christ at the end of his career.
A State of Illinois medal champion in sprint and relay running, Wayne later supported his youngest daughters in track. Giving generously of his time outside of his professional life, he supported the Blossom Time Parade and was a chaplain and volunteer for the St. Joseph Police Department. Wayne was a passionate woodworker making multiple items of furniture for family and lent his beautiful singing voice to church choirs. An adoring father and grandfather, he cherished attending sporting and school events and taking family to Chicago Cubs games or fishing at their summer retreat in Wisconsin.
He is survived by his five children and their families: Jodie Root and Gregory Gilmet, M.D., of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and their daughters, Caitlin Gilmet and Steve Darnley of Portland, Maine, and Kelsey Gilmet of Fayetteville; Valyn Root Bahm and Dennis Bahm of Clayton, North Carolina, and their children, Andrew and Melissa Bahm of Clayton, Molly Bahm of Los Angeles, and Joshua Bahm of Chicago; Mark Root and Tina Root, of Norton Shores, Michigan, and their daughter, Claire Root-Benson and Derek Benson of Muskegon; Peggy Root Wolff and Jeffrey Wolff of Reno, Nevada, and their sons, Allen Wolff of Reno and Eric and Sarah Wolff of Las Vegas; and Janel Root Groth and Ron Groth of St. Joseph and North Fort Myers, Florida, and their daughters, Gillian and Cody Korfmacher of St. Joseph and Alyssa and Tyler Connell of Tacoma, Washington. He is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren.
The family will gather for celebrations of Wayne and Phyllis’s lives and scattering of joint ashes. A visitation will be held June 26th from 4-6 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel in St. Joseph, with a service to be held at the First Congregational Church June 27th at 11AM. A luncheon will follow the service. A tree planting memorial will be held in Fayetteville, Arkansas with Ciel assisted living staff. Finally, a memorial will be held late summer at the Blue Ridge cemetery in Chillicothe, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the First Congregational Church. Those wishing to share a memory of Donald online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com
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