Donald L. Sackhoff

Donald Lyle Sackhoff, the son of August Frederick and Julia Viola Blundon Sackhoff, was born June 27, 1934 on a farm near Hunter, Kansas. He departed this life of 71 years late Tuesday morning, May 22, 2006 at Wesley Medical Center in Wichita, Kansas after a rather lengthy illness.

"Don", as everyone knew him, lived nearly all of his life in the Hunter community and graduated from Hunter High School in the Class of 1952.

On July 20, 1958, he was united in marriage to Vivian Heller and to this union were born four children, Richard, Tamara, Jeff, and Debra. They made their home in the Hunter community until moving to their present home east of Hunter in 1974.

Always agriculturally minded, Don worked for Farmway COOP at Hunter, and for many years, he managed the grain elevator at Denmark where he made many lasting friendships. He and Vivian enjoyed raising sheep on their farmstead east of Hunter.

Besides working for COOP, Don contributed to his community. He was the cemetery sexton at Greenwood Union Cemetery at Hunter, and for several years served on the Sylvan Unified School Board and the North Central Kansas Technical College Board of Control. He was a loyal and faithful member of the Grace Chapel United Methodist Church.

Don's greatest love though, was his family. He loved attending all of his children's activities, especially sporting events where his presence was always known. He was an ardent fan of the Sylvan Unified Mustangs. In later years, his grandchildren brought him immense joy. Quieter moments were happiest spent bird watching, and watching television where he enjoyed the Discovery, Travel, and History Channels. He also enjoyed reading. He took great pride in his yard. His kind, likeable demeanor will be deeply missed.

Don served in the United States Army in Korea, was selected to serve in the Honor Guard, and he also served in the National Guard in Topeka, Kansas.

His parents preceded him in death. In addition, he was preceded in death by brothers Wilbur and Richard Sackhoff, and sisters Ruth Sackhoff, Helen Sackhoff and Esther Rooker.

Left to mourn his passing and celebrate his life are his wife Vivian of the home, children Richard Sackhoff of Wichita, Tamara McMillan and husband Steve of Conway, Arkansas, Jeff Sackhoff and wife Annette of Conway, Arkansas, Debra McLay and husband Rick of Topeka; four sisters Morene Stertz of Lincoln, Kansas, Joan Derr and husband Roy of Topeka, Doris Hughes and husband P.J. of La Jolla, California, Jean Lomax of Houston, Texas; seven grandchildren Jennifer Sackhoff, Jamie Clark, Jeff McMillan, Kyle Sackhoff, Caleb Sackhoff, Derrick McLay, Rachel McLay, one expected great grandchild, and a host of many relatives and friends.

Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Friday, may 26, 2006 at the Grace Chapel United Methodist Church in Hunter with Pastor Marion Walker officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenwood Union Cemetery. Memorials may be given to the church, and friends may call from 11:00 A.M. until 8:00 P.M. Thursday at the McDonald Funeral Home.