Donald E. Waymire

Donald E. Waymire of Ottawa, Kansas passed away peacefully at the Midland Hospice House in Topeka, Kansas on June 4, 2013. He was 84 years old. Cremation is planned with a Memorial Service to be held at Dengel & Son Mortuary, 10:00 A.M. Friday, June 7, 2013. Family will meet with friends immediately following the service. Private family Inurnment will take place at Highland Cemetery, Ottawa. Don was born on July 1, 1928 to Olin W. Waymire and Thelma (Davis) Waymire in Wichita, Kansas. He was the second of four children. He had an older brother, Olin E. (JR) of Leavenworth, a younger brother, Charles R. (Chuck) of Ottawa and a younger sister, Shirley (Waymire) Gloy of Topeka. The family lived in Wichita and Topeka before moving to Ottawa in 1937. He graduated from Ottawa High School in 1947 and attended Ottawa University for two years. On September 18, 1949 he married the love of his life, Norma Page at the First Christian Church in Ottawa, Kansas. They were classmates in high school but did not date until after they had graduated. They had three children, Mark, born on July 25, 1951, Susan, born on May 5, 1953, and Bruce, born on November 23, 1954. They lived in Ottawa, Paola, and Olathe before settling in Ottawa in 1955. Don owned grocery stores in the area with his father Ole and brother Chuck. He retired from the grocery business after forty-six years in 1993. In 1957, he and Norma bought their first and last home at 535 W 3rd and lived there for 56 years. Together in this home they raised their children, entertained six grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Many family dinners and memories were shared there. Water sports were a big part of their family life. Summers were spent boating, skiing and swimming. Don's parents had a home at Pomona Lake and the whole family would gather every Sunday to spend the day together on the water. He also had many friends and Page family members that share wonderful memories and fun times at the Lake of the Ozarks. Don enjoyed refinishing furniture, woodworking and working on his lawn. In his lifetime, he had been a member of the Ottawa Masonic Lodge 18, Kiwanis Club, Optimist Club, and Boy Scouts of America. He served eight years on the Ottawa School Board as well as eight years as a Franklin County Commissioner. He is survived by his wife Norma, daughter Susan Crowley and husband Mark of Independence, MO, grandchildren Ben Waymire and wife Carsen, Daniel Waymire and wife Megan all of Denver, CO, Colin Crowley and wife Amanda of Independence, MO, Lauren (Crowley) Albright and husband Mark of Kansas City, MO. Abbi (Waymire) Watts and husband Justin, Colt Waymire and wife Hailey all of Ottawa, KS. Great-grandchildren, Jackson, Kale and Halynn Watts, Ella and Troy Crowley. Brother Olin E. (JR) Waymire of Leavenworth, KS, brother Charles R. (Chuck) Waymire and wife Zondra of Ottawa and sister Shirley Gloy and husband Bill of Topeka. Sister-in-law Liz Page of Ottawa, brother-in-law Keith Page and wife Betsy of Lamar, MO and sister-in-law Marilyn (Leckliter) Brokaw of Lenox, IA. Daughters-in-law, Susan (Chesbro) Workman of Topeka and Kathleen McCord of Ottawa and many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents, Olin and Thelma Waymire, sons Mark and Bruce both in 2012, father-in-law, George Page, brother-in-law Harlan Page, brother-in-law Jack Leckliter, sister-in-law, Rosemary Waymire. He was a great husband, father and grandfather. He was cherished by his siblings and friends. Uncle Don will never be forgotten by his many nieces and nephews. Don was generous with his love and his hugs. If he gave you one of his hugs, you knew it was sincere. Happy trails to you, Don, till we meet again. The family suggests memorial contributions to Franklin County Cancer Foundation, Midland Hospice House of Topeka or First United Methodist Church c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. An online Guest Book is available at www.dengelmortuary.com.