Donald Eugene Bethel passed away on May 21, 2022, in Plainville, Kansas
at the age of 83. He was born on March 2, 1939, to Charles and Rose
Bethel in Hartley, Iowa. Donald was united in marriage on December 24,
1959, to Patricia Ann (Cain) Bethel. The couple was blessed with four
sons: Greg, Scott, David, and Jason.
Don grew up in Hartley, Iowa and attended Hartley High School. He
was drafted by the United States Army to serve in the Korean War from
1956 until his honorable discharge in 1959. He moved to Rooks County
where he met his wife, Pat; they moved several times but always managed
to return to the county they would call home. Don worked several jobs
from repair work, to well service and tools, but his love was raising
black angus cattle and farming the land to feed them. He enjoyed his
time outdoors, fishing, hunting, mechanic work and stock car racing; and
ending his day with the coldest beer he could find! He was tough but
fair, straightforward, and honest. Don had an eye for detail and never
missed spotting something out of place, out of the ordinary, or a deer.
He was a member of the VFW Post 8871 and was also one of the original
founders of the Plainville Rescue Squad.
Don was an honorable man of integrity and hard work ethic. May his
legacy be to love your family and country, to work hard, and at the end
of the day, enjoy a nice cold beer.
He is survived by his wife Pat of the home in Plainville, KS; sons,
Greg (Jennifer) Bethel of Schoenchen, KS, Scott (K’Ann) Bethel of Palco,
KS, David Bethel of Plainville, KS, Jason (Jamie) Bethel of Plainville,
KS; sister, Alice Betten of Iowa; ten grandchildren and five
great-grandchildren.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, Charles and Rose Bethel;
and siblings, Adella Cummings, Jim Bethel, Bessie Bethel, Marion Bethel,
Richard Bethel, Delbert Bethel, Leroy Bethel, Chuck Bethel, Clarence
Peters, and Kenneth Bethel.
A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, May 26, 2022, at 10:30
AM at Plumer-Overlease Funeral Home in Plainville. Visitation will also
be at the funeral home on Wednesday from 2PM until 8PM.
In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Don Bethel Memorial Fund to be allocated by the family at a later time.