Donald G. Newton

Donald “Don” G. Newton, 85, of Marysville, passed away Thursday, October 2, 2008, at Cambridge Place in Marysville. A graveside funeral service was held at 2:00 p.m., Saturday, October 4, at the Marysville City Cemetery. The Rev. Marilyn Wullschleger officiated. Don was born August 28, 1923 in Marysville. His parents, Faye and Nettie (Hall) Newton raised him on a farm near Oketo. When Don was 12 his father preceded him in death. In 1940 he graduated from Marysville High School and then attended Washburn University. In July 1942 Don enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps along with his good friend, Raleigh Breeding. Together they rode a train from Kansas City to San Diego, CA and reported for boot camp. Don served in the South Pacific. He was awarded two Purple Heart medals. The second was for an injury he received while serving on the island of Saipan and spent 18 months in the San Diego Naval Hospital. On June 30, 1945, Don married Laura Lynch in San Pedro, California. They were blessed with two children, Jody and Jerald, and 63 years of marriage. After his medical discharge Don returned to Marysville. He worked for his uncles at Hall Brothers Construction as a Superintendent until retiring in 1968. He then fed feeder cattle and had horses on his farm north of Home, KS. Don was a member of the Blue Valley Saddle Club and rode in Pony Express re-enactments. He served on the Marysville City Council for 10 years and was very happy to see the Highway 36 overpass project completed. He was also a member of the American Legion Post #163, serving as a member of the firing squad and Marine Corps Color Guard, VFW, Masonic Temple and NEMAR Shrine. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He was preceded in death by his parents. Survivors include his wife, Laura; one son, Jerald Newton and wife Alanna of Sedona, AZ; one daughter, Jody Pralle and husband Craig of Sun City West, AZ; one sister, Shirley True, of Richland, WA; and three grandchildren, Mike, Courtney and Jennifer Pralle. A memorial fund has been designated to the St. Louis Shriners Hospitals for Children. Contributions may be sent in care of Kinsley Mortuary or may make a direct donation online at http://support.shrinershospitals.org. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald G. Newton, please visit our flower store.