Donald Lee Biggerstaff, 95, passed away on Friday, May 6, 2016, at his home surrounded by his loving family.
He was born on May 15, 1920, in McPherson, the son of Arthur and Violet Laswell Biggerstaff. Don grew up in the Newton and Halstead area, graduating from Newton High School in 1939.
He served in the U.S. Army during World War II. While stationed in Italy, he was wounded and then served the rest of his tour working in a hospital in England. Don received a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.
Upon his return to Newton, he worked for a while building bridges and traveling. Then he began working for Walt Brodhaghen doing what he really enjoyed, finish carpentry, until he became self-employed until his retirement. He spent his spare time working with his church, Trinity Heights of which he was a charter member, the Boy Scouts and the Saddle Club.
At 60 years old, he met and married Mary Ann Smith, who he shared 33 years of marriage before her passing in 2013. They enjoyed many things together, traveling to see their daughter, bus tours, and children’s and grandchildren’s ballgames and school events. They tried to make them all. Most of all, they loved spending time at the home he built for them out in the country. He with his horses and on his tractor, her taking walks and her plants.
Don is survived by stepchildren, Georgann Weeks of Wichita, Sherry and Terry Mayhill of The Woodlands, Texas, Jerri and Tony Gooden of Antinito, Colo., Barbara and Jimmy Meetz of El Dorado, Don and Helen Smith of Newton, Brenda and Roe Hicks of Wichita, Jana and Roger Morrison of Newton, Tammy and Dennis Wyse and Hesston; 25 grandchildren; and 43 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by stepsons Rick Smith, Mike Smith and Fred Smith.
Funeral services will be at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 10, 2016, at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton. Interment will be in the Greenwood Cemetery in Newton.
Friends may call from 1 to 8 p.m. Monday at Broadway Colonial Funeral Home in Newton, where the family will receive friends from 6:30 to p.m.
A memorial has been established with Trinity Heights United Methodist Church and Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice, and contributions may be sent to Broadway Colonial Funeral Home, 120 E. Broadway, Newton, KS 67114.
