Donald A. Cain

Donald Cain, age 83, of Ottawa, Kansas, passed away, Saturday, November 7, 2020, at AdventHealth of Ottawa. Memorial services will be held at 2:00 P.M., Thursday, December 3, 2020, at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Ottawa, Kansas. Family will meet with friends from 5:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M., Wednesday, December 2, 2020 at the church. In order for family, friends, former students and colleagues to have time to organize travel, rearrange schedules and maintain recommended COVID-19 guidelines a Celebration of Life service will also be held on the Cain’s family property, Saturday, July 3, 2021. Don was born February 5, 1937, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of Patrick Donald and Eva J. (Jackson) Cain. Don was a long-time resident Franklin County resident living in or around Ottawa since the 1940’s. He graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1955. Don graduated from Kansas State Teachers College in 1969 and from Emporia State University in 1993 earning a Master of Science in Engineering degree. Don was united in marriage to Karen Kay Haverty on December 8, 1956 in Ottawa, Kansas. She preceded him in death on January 2, 2018. He was also preceded in death by his daughter Babette Cain, parents, Donald and Eva Cain and his younger brother David Cain. Survivors include two children, Candi Cain-Borgman and her husband Craig and their three children, and Cliff “Donnie” Cain and his wife Kerry and their four children. He is also survived by a great grandson, a younger brother Darold Cain, a younger sister Sharon Hiner and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and extended family. Don dedicated his work life teaching high school physics, college prep chemistry, chemistry and other science and math courses at Ottawa High School and Pomona High School from 1969 to 1999. He also served in the Kansas National Guard, Ottawa, Kansas from 1955 to 1963 where he earned many commendations. Don earned many awards including the 1996 Walmart Teacher of the Year and 1998 Emporia State University Outstanding Contributions of the Teaching Profession. He was a member of the National Education Association, Kansas Educational Association, Ottawa Education Association, National Science Teachers Association and Kansas Association of Teachers of Science. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to the Alzheimer’s Association c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Family and friends are encouraged to post their condolences and memories on Don’s Tribute Wall at www.dengelmortuary.com