Donald D Stiver

Donald D. Stiver

Donald D. Stiver, 80, of Newton, died Sunday (Jan. 28, 2007) at his Newton residence. He was born Aug. 27, 1926, in Council Grove, the son of William Henry and Vivian (Baker) Stiver. He attended Council Grove schools. In 1942, he went to work for Missouri Pacific Railroad as a machinist in the Hoisington Shop. In 1943, he went to Osawatomie as a brakeman and eventually went to Coffeyville as a fireman for the Missouri Pacific. He was called to work as a fireman for Santa Fe in 1947 and soon became an engineer and worked out of Newton until his retirement in 1986. He was working for Amtrak when he retired.

He served as a private first class in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Korea. He met Phyllis Swanson, and they were married Dec. 21, 1946, in Junction City.

He was a member of Isis Shrine Club of Salina, the Blue Lodge No. 142 of Newton and the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Dodge City. After retirement, Doc and Phyllis moved to Orfino, Idaho, to enjoy their time hunting and fishing. They decided to return to Newton in 1991 to be closer to their children and grandchildren.

Survivors include: his wife, Phyllis Stiver of Newton; sons, Leland and Carolyn Stiver of Newton, Gerald and Teresa Stiver of Osawatomie, Daniel and Debbie Stiver of Newton, and Michael and Shirley Stiver of Council Grove; brothers, William H. Stiver Jr.. of Tuscon, Ariz., and Harold Stiver of Raymore, Mo.; nine grandchildren; six great-grandchildren; and six step-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at First Baptist Church in Council Grove with the Rev. Gary Bell of First Christian Church in Newton officiating.

Burial will be in Sunny Slope Cemetery in Council Grove.

Visitation will be from 1 to 9 p.m. today at Petersen Funeral Home in Newton with family receiving friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. and from 1 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at Penwell Gable Funeral Home in Council Grove.

Memorial contributions may be made to Harry Hynes Hospice in care of Petersen Funeral Home.