Don Farner (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Donald Joseph Farner, son of Joseph and A. Dorothy Kourek Farner, was born October 28, 1924, in St. Louis, Missouri. He departed this life Tuesday, May 31, 2016, in his home, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-one years, seven months, and three days.
On June 1, 1949, he was united in marriage to Opal V. Chambers, and to this union one daughter and three sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; the love of his life, his wife, Opal, on March 11, 2010; and a younger brother, John Richard Farner.
Don is survived by a daughter, Suzanne Andreas, and her husband, Dr. John, of St. Louis, Missouri; three sons, Steve Farner, and Marsha Kimrey, of Lebanon, Missouri, Mark Farner, and Barb Mohn, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Bruce Farner, and his wife, Kelly, of Springfield, Missouri; five grandchildren, Dr. Lauren Andreas, and her husband, Dr. Mike Dostal, of Overland Park, Kansas, Mark Andreas, of Whitefish, Montana, Dr. Staci Niemoth, of Ozark, Missouri, Lindsey Casey, and her husband, Joe, of Springfield, Missouri, and Brett Farner, and his wife, Kayla, of Camdenton, Missouri; seven great-grandchildren; as well as a host of other relatives and many friends; and a special caregiver who took wonderful care of Don and Opal, Crystal Lowrance.
He was raised in the Lebanon area, and graduated from Lebanon High School in the Class of 1942. He then served his country faithfully in the United States Army in the Third Division for over nineteen months, during World War II, being honorably discharged in 1945. While in the military, he received the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with two Bronze Stars, a Good Conduct Medal, a Combat Infantry Badge, and was awarded the Purple Heart. He then returned to Lebanon, where he held several sales positions with new car dealerships before his entrepreneurial spirit led him to become a very successful businessman in automobiles and real estate for forty years. He had an uncanny ability for picking a winner when it came to a piece of property.
Don accepted Christ on June 13, 1999, and at the time of his passing was a member of First United Methodist Church.
He truly enjoyed sports, especially the Missouri Tigers and St. Louis Cardinals. He loved traveling and had a real passion for history and reading, but most of all he loved the time he spent with his family and friends, particularly his grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Don was a loving father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and was a caring neighbor and friend. We celebrate his life and know that he will be fondly remembered as a devoted family man, a dedicated businessman, and a good friend to many.
Memorial contributions may be made to the 1st United Methodist Church for the Children's Programs.
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