Donald Edwin Dye, one of five children born to the union of the late
Elbert and Mary (McMillian) Dye, was born Sept. 29, 1921 near Colley
Hollow in Pulaski County.
At the age of 12, Donald made his
profession of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and was baptized in the
Gasconade River. He was a member of the Berean Baptist Church near
Richland.
Donald attended school at Turkey Ridge and Richland High
School. He was a WW II veteran, serving his country in the U.S. Navy
from 1942 to 1946. For his dedicated and honorable service, Donald was
awarded several medals and commendations.
On June 13, 1996, Donald was united in marriage with Betty Louise (Botkin) Combs in Richland.
For
over 30 years, Donald worked as a fork lift operator for Trans America
Trucking Company in St. Louis. He was a proud member of the Teamsters
Local 600. He enjoyed fishing, gardening and working around his beloved
home. He was an avid St. Louis Cardinals baseball fan.
Donald went
home to be with his Lord the afternoon of June 15, 2003 at St. John's
Breech Regional Medical Center in Lebanon, at the age of 81 years.
He
leaves to cherish his memory his wife, Betty, of the home; one
daughter, Catherine Vogt and her husband Dennis of St. Louis; and one
son, David Dye of Gladstone. He also leaves three stepchildren: Rebecca
Poertner and husband Vaughn and Patricia Hayes and husband Delbert, all
of Eldon, and Jeremiah Combs and wife Jamie of Springfield; one brother,
Ralph, of Winnebago, Ill.; 12 grandchildren and several nieces, nephews
and other relatives and friends. Donald was a very quiet, kind man, and
will be sadly missed by all who knew and loved him.
In addition to his parents, Donald joins in heaven his brother, Gilbert Dye (1984), and sister, Lois Jackson (2003).
Funeral
services were held at 2 p.m. Wednesday, June 18, 2003 at the Berean
Baptist Church of Richland with Rev. Eddie Brandt and Rev. Billy Elam
officiating. Pat Elam accompanied Flo Howlett as she sang "Amazing
Grace" and "Mansion Over the Hilltop." Serving as escorts were Jerry
Combs I, Jerry Combs II, Delbert Hayes, Dennis Vogt, Jason Vogt and Jeff
Vogt. Burial followed in the Waynesville Memorial Park Cemetery in
Waynesville.