Donald John Boveri

Loving husband, father, and grandfather, Donald J. Boveri, of Granger, Indiana, passed away peacefully at Holy Cross Village, Notre Dame, Indiana, on February 15, 2026.

            Don was born in Lafayette, Indiana, on January 13, 1935, to George and Clara Boveri (Goetz), both of whom preceded him in death. He attended Lafayette Jefferson High School where he played football, basketball and baseball, and he graduated summa cum laude from DePauw University (B.A. Economics) in 1956 where he also quarterbacked the Depauw Tigers football team. On March 1, 1958, Don married his high school sweetheart, Winnie Boveri, in England, where Don was then serving as an officer in the United States Air Force. His service later took them from England to Rhineland-Palatinate, Germany, where he was honorably discharged in 1960.

In 1960, Don and Winnie returned to Indiana to make their home and raise a family, soon locating in Elkhart where Don began working for pharmaceutical giant Whitehall Laboratories (later Wyeth Pharmaceuticals) in 1962. Don’s career at Whitehall spanned 31 years. He rose to vice-president of manufacturing at Whitehall, while befriending everyone in his path. Whitehall was a union shop. In a time when the company and union often butted heads, Don’s management-side colleagues often admired his ability to make and keep strong friendships with the rank-and-file union workers. Don retired from Whitehall in 1993.    

Don loved the game of golf because he could share it with Winnie; they were avid golfers into their early 80s. Many of their retirement-era friendships started on the courses at Knollwood Country Club and Four Lakes Country Club. Don will be remembered for the kind ways and generosity that he exhibited throughout his adult life.

Winnie died on November 13, 2023, at which time they had been married for sixty-five years. Together, Don and Winnie had three children, all of whom survive: Mark (Franci) Boveri of Granger, Indiana, Lynn (Eric) Rhody, and Daniel (Kevin) Boveri, both of South Bend, Indiana. Don closely followed and delighted in the achievements and maturation of his four grandchildren; they are Matthew Boveri, Madi Boveri, Erin MacLeod, and Adam Rhody.

            The family will have a private service for Don on a future date. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or the American Heart Association, National Center, 7272 Greenville Ave., Dallas, TX 75231. Don’s family extends their heartfelt thanks to the staff at Dujarie House at Holy Cross for their loving care of Don during his short stay there. Palmer Funeral Homes – Welsheimer North Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements.  Online condolences may be left at www.palmerfuneralhomes.com