In Memory Of
Donald Elvis Bethel
1925
2014
Donald Elvis Bethel
December 25, 1925 — December 16, 2014
Donald Elvis Bethel, 88, of Lebanon, Nebraska, passed away on December 16, 2014 at the VA Medical Center in Cheyenne, Wyoming. He was born December 25, 1925, to Klee and Laura (Fisher) Bethel, and was raised on a farm between Lebanon and Danbury, Nebraska, one of six children.
Don enlisted in the US Marine Corp Second Marine Division, First Battalion, Baker Company, and fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged after serving his country for over four years. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 3 Stars. Don was presented with the Saipan Recognition Medallion for helping drive the Japanese off of the island, at the VFW summer picnic in the late 1990’s.
After retiring from the service, Don worked for numerous local and over the road trucking companies. He retired from Consolidated Freightways in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1990, after being in the trucking industry for over 50 years.
Mr. Bethel married Judy Goetz in 1980, and after 15 years, moved to Lebanon, Nebraska. In 1998, they began spending their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Don favorite past time was going to auctions and purchasing antique tractors, which he restored and then sold. He was an active member of DAV and the VFW and American Legion in Lebanon, Nebraska. Don also enjoyed visiting with friends and family, gardening, and tending his rose bushes.
Mr. Bethel is survived by his wife Judy, of 33 years; his sister Wilma Olson of Des Moines, Iowa; his daughter Pam (Larry) Jakel of Colorado, and sons, Klee of Arizona, and Greg of Washington State; step-sons Ed (Sherry), John (Shawna), and Robert (Stacey) Goetz of Wyoming; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Arlee Dale and Harold; and Sisters Elsie and Joyce.
Cremation has taken place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. A Memorial Service is tentatively planned for May of 2015 at the cemetery in Wilsonville, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made in Don’s honor to your local chapter of the DAV or to a Veteran’s charity of your choice.
Don enlisted in the US Marine Corp Second Marine Division, First Battalion, Baker Company, and fought in World War II in the Pacific Theater. He was honorably discharged after serving his country for over four years. He received the Good Conduct Medal, Navy Occupation Service Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Asiatic Pacific Medal with 3 Stars. Don was presented with the Saipan Recognition Medallion for helping drive the Japanese off of the island, at the VFW summer picnic in the late 1990’s.
After retiring from the service, Don worked for numerous local and over the road trucking companies. He retired from Consolidated Freightways in Cheyenne, Wyoming in 1990, after being in the trucking industry for over 50 years.
Mr. Bethel married Judy Goetz in 1980, and after 15 years, moved to Lebanon, Nebraska. In 1998, they began spending their winters in Apache Junction, Arizona.
Don favorite past time was going to auctions and purchasing antique tractors, which he restored and then sold. He was an active member of DAV and the VFW and American Legion in Lebanon, Nebraska. Don also enjoyed visiting with friends and family, gardening, and tending his rose bushes.
Mr. Bethel is survived by his wife Judy, of 33 years; his sister Wilma Olson of Des Moines, Iowa; his daughter Pam (Larry) Jakel of Colorado, and sons, Klee of Arizona, and Greg of Washington State; step-sons Ed (Sherry), John (Shawna), and Robert (Stacey) Goetz of Wyoming; nine grandchildren and four great grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; his brothers Arlee Dale and Harold; and Sisters Elsie and Joyce.
Cremation has taken place at Cheyenne Memorial Gardens. A Memorial Service is tentatively planned for May of 2015 at the cemetery in Wilsonville, Nebraska.
Memorials may be made in Don’s honor to your local chapter of the DAV or to a Veteran’s charity of your choice.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donald Elvis Bethel, please visit our flower store.
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