Don Hightower (Hartville)'s Obituary
Don Harold Hightower, son of Joe and Clema (Hightower) Smith was born on March 29, 1927. He departed this life and went home to the Lord on December 16, 2017 at his home in Hartville, MO surrounded by family, at the age of 90 years, 9 months, and 17 days.
On September 12, 1981 he was united in marriage to Sarah June (Woody) Schwartz and they celebrated 36 wonderful years together. He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother-in-law, Harry Wallace, and a nephew, Richard Wallace.
Don is survived by his loving wife, June, of the home and two daughters, Gale Davis and her husband, Gary, and Glynda Dickinson and her husband, Allen, all of Hartville; two granddaughters, Allyson Dickinson of Springfield, MO, and Ashlynne Dickinson of Hartville, MO; two brothers, Charles Smith and his wife Carole and David Smith and his wife Laurabeth, all of Marshfield, MO; two sisters, Mary Helen Wallace of Allen, OK and JoAnn Ligon and her husband, Ron of Knoxville, TN; and a number of nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives and friends.
Don was born in the Loring community of Wright County and later moved to Marshfield, MO where he graduated in the class of 1946. He furthered his education at Southwest Missouri State University in Springfield, MO. Don returned to the 1000 acre Joe Smith farm in Niangua, MO where he was foreman, and backgrounded as many as 500 head of cattle at a time.
He enjoyed hunting and fishing, making several trips to Canada and area lakes and woods. He loved to golf and rarely missed watching a St. Louis Cardinals game. He enjoyed taking his family on vacation trips, all packed into one van. Don attended as many softball and basketball games of his granddaughters, that his health allowed, and help construct many numerous craft and dress up projects put upon him and he enjoyed every minute spent with them teaching them patience and love. Don had many hobbies, such as quilting, wood working where he made numerous pieces of furniture for family and friends, creatively wrapping Christmas presents, working crossword puzzles, and photography, and never missing a Sunday comic strip and playing billiards.
Don had professed his faith in Christ and was a long time member of Little Creek Baptist Church. During his time attending there he served as Sunday School Director, Treasurer, and craftsman for numerous Vacation Bible Schools.
Don was a quiet man and didn’t’ have a lot to say but when he did he made everyone laugh. He kept his witty dry sense of humor until the end. You never heard him say bad work about anyone and all who knew him loved him. Don endured more than most people in a life time beginning with polio at the age of 12, and encountered major surgeries but you never heard him complain. He will be truly missed.
Memorials may be made to the Little Creek Church Carpet Fund through HHFH, PO Box 236, Hartville, Mo. 65667
What’s your fondest memory of Don?
What’s a lesson you learned from Don?
Share a story where Don's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Don you’ll never forget.
How did Don make you smile?
