Primo "Don" Govoni

Primo “Don” Govoni

Age, 95, died peacefully on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at the Illinois Veteran’s Home in Manteno.

Don is survived by his loving children Cheryl (Bob) Wenzel, Don (Mary Penosky) Govoni, Steve (Teresa) Govoni, his grandchildren Steven (Emily) Wenzel, Sam Govoni, Jack Govoni, and Lina Govoni. He is also survived by many cousins and his sister-in-law, Gerry Gutzman.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 69 years, Joan (Swiersz) Govoni, his parents Angela and Primo Govoni, sister Norma Govoni and brother Tom Govoni.

Don was born on March 4, 1930, in Joliet and graduated, along with his wife, from Joliet Township High School in 1948. While at JTHS he excelled at football and wrestling, winning the state championship for the 138-pound weight class in 1947.

He continued his wrestling career at the University of Northern Colorado, where he was a two-time NCAA All American at 157 pounds, placing third in the NCAA tournament in both 1951 and 1952, during the time when colleges and universities of all sizes competed for one NCAA title per weight class. He was a three-time Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference champion, and he won a National AAU title and an All Armed Forces title while serving in the United States Army. In high school and college combined, Don was never pinned and never had a near fall point scored against him. Don’s college coach, John Hancock, referred to him as “the finest all-around wrestler ever to compete for UNC.” Don was inducted into the UNC Athletic Hall of Fame in 1997 and the Illinois Wrestling Coaches and Officials Hall of Fame in 1991. He was honored in his hometown by being named one of the “100 Athletes of the Century” for Joliet Township high schools in 2001 and was inducted into the Joliet Area Sports Hall of Fame in 2017.

Don spent his career teaching drafting at East Aurora High School, where he was chairman of the Vocational Education Program. He coached wrestling at East Aurora and at Aurora College. Throughout his career Don officiated at all levels of wrestling, from junior high to collegiate level. During his time off from teaching, he worked tirelessly building dozens of homes in the Joliet area, performing every aspect of homebuilding while instilling a strong work ethic in his children.

As a boy, Don learned to hunt and fish alongside his Italian immigrant father and became an avid outdoorsman. Don treasured the times that he spent at hunting camp.

He and Joan spent much of their retirement at their cabin in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. They developed lasting friendships with their neighbors in the UP. During these years Don was a serious card player, regularly playing competitive games of poker and euchre at various locales in Joliet.

Don’s family meant the world to him, and he worked hard to provide a good life for them. Spending time with his grandchildren brought him much happiness. Don and Joan were fortunate to have a close circle of cherished, lifelong friends. They so enjoyed spending time with their friends and Don had jokes to share for every occasion.

Preferred memorials may be made as gifts in Don’s memory to: Illinois Veteran’s Home-Manteno, 1 Veterans Drive, Manteno, IL 60950 – Attn. Volunteer Dept.

A visitation for Don Govoni will be held on Sunday, January 18, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. until time of a prayer service at 11:45 a.m. at Blackburn-Giegerich-Sonntag Funeral Home, 1500 Black Road, Joliet, IL 60435.

Relatives and friends are encouraged to sign the online guest book by logging onto: www.PleseFuneralservices.com.

Funeral services and arrangements have been made under the genuine care and direction of Kenneth A. Plese, in Joliet, IL 815-735-2125.