Donald William Walton

Donald W. Walton, 95 of Lincolnwood died on February 21, 2013 at St. Francis Hospital.

Evanston. A memorial service will be at 11 am on March 16th at the Ethical Humanist

Society of Chicago, 7574 N. Lincoln, Skokie, In lieu of flowers, the family suggests

contributions to the charity of your choice in Don’s name.

He was born in Cleveland, Ohio, on August 13, 1917, to William and Bertha.Don attended Case Western Reserve University and John Huntington Art Institute there. He served with the 5th Air Force in World War II, and with the occupying force in Japan afterward.

He enjoyed three careers in business and the arts. His first profession was in

advertising in Michigan, where he started as a writer and eventually become a vice-

president and head of the creative department at national agencies servicing many of the

country's major advertisers. His second career was as a corporate marketing executive. He

directed new product development and also the Fine Arts Division of the Franklin Mint

in Philadelphia, which took him to many countries, working with artists and producers of

collectibles. In the late 1970's Hallmark Cards brought him to Kansas City for a direct marketing

project.

Concurrently with his business professions in advertising and marketing, Don began a third career as as an author in which he was able to combine his skills as a writer with his wide-ranging interests and experience in many fields. Using inside knowledge from working with artists, he first wrote a book to make it easy for anyone to understand and enjoy art (Art Is To Enjoy). Next a biography of his friend and colleague, artist Norman Rockwell ( A Rockwell Portrait), that became a best-seller: and book club selection. Then a book for business people, to help them communicate better (Are You Communicating), which was been published internationally in twelve different languages. His fourth book was about a subject that has long interested him: Early American History (Our Weird Wonderful Ancestors). At the time of his death, Don was editing this book to become an ebook.

Don was a long time member of the Author’s Guild of America. While in Michigan, he was

President of the Art Association of St. Joseph which holds a yearly juried art fair and a member of the Art Directors Club of Detroit and the Founders Society of the Detroit Institute of Arts. He was also a judge of the Cowboy Hall of Fame Juried Art Show and is listed in Who’sWho of American Art. During his stay in Kansas City, Don was a founder and board member of the Friends of the Kansas City Library as well as president of the Plaza Kiwanis Club. 2011 saw Don move to Lincolnwood Place Retirement Community where he was active in community discussions. Don was also a member of the Ethical Humanist Society of Chicago.

He is survived by his beloved wife of 71 years, Edie, as well as his son, Scott and daughter-in-

law Sue of Evanston. Don is also survived by his nephew Donald Glover of Garfield Heights

Ohio and his children Christopher and Ashley plus extended family in Overland Park, KS, Sara

Born and daughter Mackenzie Rose, Paul & Barbara Born, PJ & Amy Born and their children: Abby, Katie, Molly and Henry.