DONALD COURTNAGE: Obituary

BIG SANDY Donald Ray Courtnage, 78, died Wednesday, May 24, 2000 at a Big Sandy hospital of natural causes.

Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Tuesday at the Christ Lutheran Church with Pastor Rich Jespersen officiating. Burial to follow in the Big Sandy Cemetery with military graveside honors.

Courtnage was born May 23, 1922 on the Courtnage homestead southeast of Big Sandy. He graduated from Big Sandy High School in 1941 and worked in Carssow's Confectionery (now Courtnage and Sons) until he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1942.

Courtnage married Helena F. Dixon on Sept. 7, 1943 at Pyote Army Base, Texas. He was honorably discharged in 1945 and moved back to Big Sandy. He went into business with his father, Grant. They were joined by his brother, Deane, in 1947 and the partnership of Courtnage and Sons was started.

Upon retirement, the Courtnages built a winter home in Lake Montezuma, Ariz. He joined the Civil Air Patrol, which is an auxiliary to the Army Air Corps. He flew for 13 years and retired as a major.

Courtnage was a member of the Big Sandy Rotary Club for 50 years, a member of the Elks Club for 47, American Legion Post 50, and the Big Sandy Fire Department. He was a life member of the Big Sandy Gun Club and a charter member of the Big Sandy Museum.

He was preceded in death by his parents, one brother and one sister.

Survivors include his wife, Helena Courtnage of Big Sandy; sons, Rodney and Raymond Courtnage, both of Big Sandy; daughter Teresa Oldenburger of Manhattan; sister, Bernita Burns of Big Sandy; eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Memorials may be made to the Big Sandy Rotary Club, Big Sandy Fire Department or Big Sandy Historical Museum.

Services and arrangements are under the direction of Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.