Donald Dean McGhee, 79, Iola, passed away Friday, Nov. 4, 2016, at Allen County Regional Hospital.
Don was born Sept. 24, 1937, in Bloomfield, Iowa, the son of Carl and Wilma (Gilliland) McGhee. The family moved to Colony where he graduated from high school. On July 10, 1955, Don married Patricia I. Crotts at the Le Roy Christian Church. They made their home in Colony, Le Roy, Welda, and Aliceville, before moving north of Iola in 1972.
Don was a heavy equipment operator and worked on the Melvern dam and U.S. Highway 69 construction in the Kansas City area among other projects. He later worked as a road grader for Allen County for 14 years before he retired.
He and Pat were members of the Old Time Fiddlers, Pickers & Singers. Don played the steel guitar and Pat sang for years in local bands. He also enjoyed shooting trap.
Survivors include his wife of 61 years, Pat McGhee; one son, Gregory Dean McGhee, Fort Scott; one brother, Larry McGhee and wife, Judy, Edwardsville; and many in-laws, nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his son Ricky Lee McGhee and sisters Carlene and Shirley.
Visitation will be 6-8 p.m. Tuesday at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola.
Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at First Christian Church, 1608 Oregon Rd., Iola, with burial to follow in the Logue Cemetery east of Le Roy. Memorials are suggested to the First Christian Church of Iola and may be left with the funeral home. Go to www.feuerbornfuneral.com to leave a condolence online.