DONALD REICHELT obituary

BIG SANDY Donald LeRoy

Reichelt, 88, a World War II veteran

and retired farmer, died

after a brief illness Monday,

June 19, 2006, at the Big Sandy Medical Center.

A funeral service will be held at 11

a.m. Thursday at the Community

Church of God in Big Sandy.

Donald was born Aug. 25,

1917, in Big Sandy. He attended

school in Big Sandy.

As many young men did at

the time, Donald went to the

Civilian Conservation Corp. in

the spring of 1936. In 1941, he

drafted into the Army and was

assigned to the Air Corps where

he was part of 353rd Bomb

Squadron (B-17's). Donald proudly

served in England, Italy, and

North Africa. He enjoyed attending

reunions of his Army friends

at different locations around the

country. Just recently Donald

got to ride in a B-17 that was in

Billings. Even with his failing

health, he was very glad that he

had made the trip to Billings to

be able to see and ride in a B-17

one more time. After being honorably discharged from the

army, Donald returned to Big

Sandy and farmed west of town for many years.

Don served on the Big Sandy

School Board for many years

and was able to present each of

his seven children with their high school diploma.

Donald loved his kids, grandchildren

and great-grandchildren.

He always had time for

each and every one of them.

Donald was a loving and caring

husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather.

He was preceded in death by

his brothers, Hubert, Maurice,

Clyde, Kenneth and Eugene.

Survivors include his wife of

60 years, Erma (Buchholz) of

Big Sandy; sons, Russell

(Elaine) Reichelt of Yuma,

Ariz., Les (Lisa) Reichelt of

Phoenix, Ariz., Verlin (Patty)

Reichelt of Big Sandy, Curt

(Janice) of Whitewater and John

Reichelt of Billings; daughters,

Lenore (Earl) Marx of Big

Sandy and Corinne (Dave) of St.

Louis, Mo.; 14 grandchildren;

four great-grandchildren; brothers,

Raymond Reichelt of Fort

Benton and Calvin Reichelt of

Lynnwood, Wash.; sister,

Mardella Jordan of Bozeman;

and numerous nephews and nieces.

Memorial gifts can be made

to the Community Church of God

or the donor's choice.

Benton Funeral Home is in

charge of arrangements.