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Donald Lee Whitesell, 80, of Holton, KS passed away February 3, 2013 at Medicalodge Jackson County. He was born October 6, 1932 near Circleville, KS the son of Lawrence LeRoy and Rosa Ellen (Spicher) Whitesell.
Don attended upper and lower Banner schools in Jackson County and Holton High School. He served in the United States Army from 1951 – 1953 during the Korean Conflict. Don was an auto mechanic for Ford Lierz Motors and then worked for Durham & Farrell a Case Dealer as a farm machinery mechanic until 1970. Don and Duane Schirmer purchased the dealership in 1970 and it was renamed Don & Duane’s Welding and Repair until Duane’s death in 1982. Later Don formed a partnership with Marion Korte and it was renamed Don & Marion’s Welding and Repair until their retirement in 1994.
Don was a lifetime member of the VFW Post #1367 and a member of the American Legion Post #44.
He married Thelma Mae Kern on December 29, 1956 in Stillwell, OK. She preceded him in death on May 23, 2007. He was also preceded in death by a sister, Melva Whitesell and 3 brothers, Orville, James and Robert Whitesell.
Survivors include 4 daughters, Donna Mae Patterson (Steve) of Holton, KS, Sherry Lee McBride (Terry) of Piedmont, OK, Glenda Sue Larkins (Ken) of Belvue, KS and Dixie Ann Winter (John) of Concordia, KS; 9 grandchildren, Katie Jo Ingels, Casey Patterson, Lyndee Stabel, Annie Patterson, Justin McBride, Matt McBride, Abby McBride, Levi Larkins and Lake Winter and 4 great grandchildren, Kolden and Kallan Ingels and Rowan and Dawson Patterson.
Funeral services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, February 9, 2013 at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Burial will be in the Netawaka Cemetery. Family will greet friends from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. Friday evening. Memorials may be given to the Don Whitesell Memorial Fund to be determined at a later date c/o Mercer Funeral Home P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436. To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com.
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