Donald L. Whitmire

Donald (Don) Lee Whitmire, 95, died in Lincoln on July 23, 2023. Don was born on October 8, 1927, in Sidney, Nebraska, to Austin and Minnie(Seyfang)Whitmire. He grew up as an only child in Sunol, NE.

After graduating from high school in Sidney, Don joined the Army. He was stationed in Fort Knox and played in the Army band something he continued to do in college and as a member of the Tehama Shrine. After leaving the Army, Don attended Hastings College where he met Lou Jean Blum of Alma, NE and married in 1951.

They lived in Sidney, Alma, Phillipsburg (KS) and back to Alma in 1964 before moving to Lincoln two years ago. Don continued with service to his country in the Kansas National Guard for several years. In Alma, he was a longtime elder of the First Christian Church. Don owned Whitmire’s Appliance that sold and repaired TVs, appliances and other electronics in addition to selling paint and wallpaper. They also owned the town laundromat. Don semi-retired in 1996 after selling his store but stayed active, working there for another decade.

Don loved living near the Harlan County Reservoir and spent a lot of time fishing, hunting and boating with family and friends. Don is survived by his wife of 72 years, Lou Jean; daughter Susan Whitmire Brown and son Jon (Linda) Whitmire all of Lincoln; 7 grandchildren Chris Whitmire, Mike (Jessica) Whitmire, Jay (Katie) Brown, Kailee (Matt) Dow, Elly Brown, Austin Whitmire, Ethan Whitmire; 6 great-grandchildren Kaleb, Kaidyn, Hannah, Van, Kendall, Aiden. He was preceded in death by his parents, son Van Whitmire and son-in- law David Brown.

Memorial service will be held at Alma Berean Church on September 2 nd at eleven o’clock. Memorials are suggested to be directed to family to purchase a bench along the lake’s Pheasant Ridge Trail walking path in front of their long-time Alma home.

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