Don Cantrell's Obituary
Don Galvin Cantrell, son of Virgil and Della Moore Cantrell, was born September 22, 1921, near Mansfield, in Wright County, Missouri. He departed this life Wednesday, July 14, 2010, in St. John?s Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of eighty-eight years, nine months, and twenty-two days.
On September 12, 1942, he was united in marriage to Joehova Moore, and to this union one daughter and one son were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Don G. Cantrell, Jr.; two brothers, Clayborn and Joseph; and a sister, Zena.
Don is survived by his loving wife of sixty-seven years, Joehova, of the home; a daughter, Linda Smith, and her husband, Gerald, of Lebanon, Missouri; four grandchildren, Kevin L. Smith, and his wife, Christine, of Le Claire, Iowa, Steven D. Smith, and his wife, Jennifer, of Camdenton, Missouri, Bobbi Woolsey, and her husband, Jeff, of Lebanon, Missouri, and Deidra Mulvania, of Camdenton, Missouri; six great-grandchildren, Jacob, Haley, Lily, Hannah, Samantha, and Madison; two sisters, Della Neilson, and Ellen Hewitt, both of the State of California; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Wright County, Missouri, and then moved to Laclede County. He served his country faithfully in the United States Army from September 30, 1942, until November 25, 1945, and during part of World War II he was stationed in Guadalcanal. After being honorably discharged from the Army, he returned to his wife and began working in building construction. In addition to continuing to work as a carpenter, Don also owned and operated a dairy farm near Long Lane, Missouri, for a number of years. Later, he and Joehova made their home in the Eldridge community for twenty-five years, before moving into Lebanon a few years ago.
Don professed his faith in Christ early in his life and later re-dedicated his life to Christ and was baptized into the Ira Baptist Church, near Eldridge.
He was always willing to help anyone in need and had a very generous and giving heart.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activity was fishing. He liked growing a beautiful garden each year, and was especially proud of his tomatoes. He loved his family dearly and greatly enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, and uncle, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that his family and friends will treasure the wonderful memories he made for them throughout the years.
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