Donald R. Winchell

A Funeral Mass for Donald R. Winchell of Salesville, Arkansas, will be 10:00 am, Tuesday, February 23, 2016, at St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church, with Reverend Father Christopher Okeke, as Celebrant. Visitation will be Monday, February 22, 2016, from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm, at Kirby & Family Funeral Home Chapel with a Vigil Service at 7:00 pm.

Don was born in Texarkana, Arkansas, February 14, 1931, to Victor and Delphine Winchell. He left to be with the Lord February 18, 2016, after losing his long battle with cancer. He was raised in the Catholic faith and was a member of St. Peter The Fisherman Catholic Church in Mountain Home.

Don left Texarkana and moved to California in 1966 where he spent 27 years working for the BNSF Railway. When he retired in 1989, he moved back to Arkansas. In 1991, he married Ellen Marie (Bollinger) Winchell, whom he had met while living in California; this union lasted for 25 years. Don is survived by his wife, Ellen Winchell of Salesville, Arkansas; two sons by a previous marriage, Gary Lee (September) Winchell, now residing in Lemoore, California and Terry Lynn (Helen) Winchell, Longview, Texas and two step-sons, Daniel (Jeanette) Draper of Fresno, California and Joseph (Deanna) Draper of Fresno, California. He is preceded in death by his parents; sister, Dorothy and brother, Johnnie.

Don was an accomplished musician, and one of his greatest enjoyments was playing country western music with his friends at various get-together's and dances in the area.

Burial will be in the Kirby's Tucker Memorial Cemetery, Mountain Home, Arkansas.

Arrangements are by Kirby and Family Funeral and Cremation Services.