Donald "Don" Bishop (Buffalo)'s Obituary
Donald “Don” Wayne Bishop of Macks Creek, Missouri, received his heavenly reward on Thursday, April 24, 2025, at his home with his loving family by his side. At the time of his passing, he was 96 years, one month and 12 days of age.
Donald “Pops” Bishop was born March 11, 1929, in Plad, Missouri to the late Maude Bishop and Claude Clemmons. He was raised by his maternal grandparents Hanford and Nora Bishop alongside his aunts and uncles. In 1941, Pops was saved at Pleasant Hill Missionary Baptist Church. He later joined the church and was baptized. Pops completed school through ninth grade. He began working at Producers Creamery milk plant in Lebanon, Missouri until March of 1951 when he enlisted in the United States Army where he served as a combat engineer. Pops was stationed all over the Midwest. Notable stations were Attebury, Illinois, and Fort McCoy, Wisconsin where on May 8, 1952, he was united in marriage to his beloved Thelma Bailey. After being discharged from the Army, Don and Thelma made their home in Bailey Town, Missouri where they started their family, welcoming two sons: Donny and Kevin. In 1958, the young family made the move to the Urbana area where they purchased a small farm and began raising milk cows. Away from the farm, Don was a union worker, working as a heavy equipment operator. He helped construct the Pomme De Terre Dam. In 1959, the family welcomed their daughter Nora Ruth and in 1963, Don and Thelma had a stillborn son, Eric. Pops worked with the union until 1990 when he was forced to retire due to contracting Guillain-Barre syndrome, an autoimmune disease that left him paralyzed. After much hard work and intense physical therapy, Pops regained his ability to walk and continued milking on the farm until 2006 when a knee replacement sent him to full retirement. Don and Thelma made one final move to the Macks Creek area to be closer to their daughter and grandchildren. Pops enjoyed attending the Macks Creek basketball games, cheering on his granddaughters. He enjoyed playing cards with his siblings, fishing, and going to church. At the time of his passing, he was a member and previous trustee of Bailey Chapel Church.
Pops instilled in us all to work hard and love harder. He was caring and kind but also firm when needed. He left a lasting impact on his family and friends. We are sadden by the loss of our hero but find joy and comfort knowing that he is in heaven, free of pain and awaiting the day that we will come and join him.
Pops was proceeded in death by his grandparents: Hanford and Nora, parents: Maude and Claude Clemmons, siblings: Truman Bishop, Walter Bishop, Blanch Hunter, Myrtle Bowes, Dotty Bishop, Evelyn Dylan, Ethel Harrel, and Edith Ownby, beloved wife Thelma Bishop, sons Donny Bishop and Claude Eric Bishop, grandchildren John Curtis Hix and Chris Castonguay, and one great-grandson Kevin Chieto. He is survived by his daughter Nora Ruth Hix and her children: Joni Kempker and husband Doug, Juli Anderson and husband Christian, and Jaci Howard and husband Kyle, his son Kevin Bishop and wife Lillia, their children James Bishop, Joseph Bishop, and Alliano Silvino and husband Levi, daughter-in-law Carol Bishop and children Michael Bishop and wife Emilia, Thomas Bishop and fiancé Mandy, and Sam Bishop and partner Kylie, 15 great-grandchildren, two sisters Kathryn Maddox and Judy Junkins, brother Loren Clemmons, special close friends Ryan Pastor and wife Lydia, Elizabeth Hunter and son Elijah, Sarah Beth Drake, and Allen Willey.
Services are scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28, 2025, at Bailey Chapel in Tunas, Missouri, burial will follow at Plad Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 4-6 pm at the Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home in Buffalo Missouri.
Arrangements are under the care and direction of Cantlon-Otterness & Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, Missouri.
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