Donald R. Burwell (Lebanon)'s Obituary
Donald Reed Burwell, son of Edgar Charles and Bessie Beatrice Moore Burwell, was born March 7, 1919, in Gahanna, Ohio. He departed this life Saturday, January 19, 2013, in Mercy Hospital, in Lebanon, Missouri, at the age of ninety-three years, ten months, and thirteen days.
On January 17, 1940, he was united in marriage to Elizabeth “Betty” Louise Carson, and to this union four sons were born.
He was preceded in death by his parents; a son, Joel Eugene Burwell; a brother, Edgar Burwell; and a sister, Dora Peer.
Donald is survived by his loving wife of seventy-three years, Betty, of the home; three sons, Donald Raymond Burwell, of South Fork, Colorado, John Lawrence “Jack” Burwell, & his wife, Helen, of Phillipsburg, Missouri, and Steven Lester Burwell, and his wife, Vera, of Lebanon, Missouri; a daughter-in-law, Phyllis Dellinger Burwell, of Plain City, Ohio; a special daughter, Peggy Isgrigg, of Rolla, Missouri; four granddaughters, Cindy Mitchell, Deena Schofield, Beth Tindle, and Jodi Taylor; four grandsons, Jeffrey Burwell, John R. Burwell, Chad Burwell, and Donald Randolph Burwell; sixteen great-grandchildren, Samantha, Matthew, Joseph, Justin, Shelby, Jeshua, Kelton, Taryn, Eilish, Johnny Jr., Anthony, Brianna, Brittany, Colton, Julie Ann, and Samantha; a number of great-great-grandchildren; a sister, Mary Mitchell, of Amelia, Ohio; several nieces and nephews; as well as a host of other relatives and friends.
He was born and raised in Ohio, and then served in the United States Navy during World War II. After being honorably discharged from the Navy on November 22, 1944, he returned to his wife, Betty, in Ohio where he farmed and also worked for Scott Seed Company for several years. In 1962, the family moved to Falcon, Missouri, where they made their home on their farm. In addition to operating his farm, Donald worked for Appleby Boats and Lowe Boats for several years. Throughout his life, Donald also worked as a carpenter, doing housing construction. In 1967, he and Betty moved into Lebanon.
In his spare time he enjoyed being outdoors where his favorite activities were coon hunting, fishing, and riding his horses. He also liked gardening, and grew beautiful flower beds and fantastic rose bushes. He and Betty enjoyed traveling and particularly liked spending time at a cabin in the mountains. His family was very important to him and he especially enjoyed all of his grandchildren.
Donald was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-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 his life.
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