Donald "Donnie" Ray Leavell

Donald "Donnie" Ray Leavell, 69, Sheldon, Mo., passed away on Monday, July 15, 2013, at his home in Sheldon. He was born on March 30, 1944, the only child of Ray Harold and Ruth Cornelia Leavell. He married Shirley Darlene Starlin on Feb. 14, 1966, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 20, 2004.

Donnie spent his life as a farmer. Upon his death, he was currently a board member of the PWSD No. 2 of Milo and a member of the Sheldon Booster Club. He had served on the Sheldon School Board for four years and was also a past member of the Nevada Elks Lodge No. 564. Favorite pastimes included Nascar and the Pittsburg Steelers.

Survivors include three daughters, Sherri Simmons and her husband, Ronnie, El Dorado Springs, Mo., Starla Leavell, Sheldon, Mo., and Shelli Randall and her husband, Larry, Frontenac, Kan.; five grandchildren, Kaili Simmons, Kinli Simmons, Kaiden Simmons, Andrew Leavell and his wife, Kayla, and McKenzi Randall. Aside from his wife, he was also preceded in death by his parents.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, July 18, at Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada, with Roger Beach officiating. Interment will follow in Sheldon Cemetery, Sheldon. Friends may call until the hour of service with visitation to be held from 6-8 p.m., Wednesday, July 17, at the funeral home.

Contributions may be made in his memory to the Shirley Leavell Memorial Field in Sheldon or the Sheldon Cemetery in care of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.

View obituary and send condolences online at www.ferryfuneralhome.com