Born: June 23, 1930
Died: October 13, 2015
Donald L. Bouse, age 85 years, passed away Tuesday, October 13,2015 at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital, Clinton, Missouri. Funeral service will be at Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri, Friday October 16, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Visitation will be one hour prior. Interment will follow at Englewood Cemetery, Clinton, Missouri.
Donald Lee Bouse was born in Chalk Level, Missouri on June 23, 1930 to Clarence and Flora Talley Bouse. Don was the youngest of 9 siblings. At the age of 9 Don lost his mother to Tuberculosis. Don was raised by his older sibling Elizabeth, his uncle from Wheatland, MO. and another uncle who lived in Ohio. He finished his schooling in North Kansas City with his father and step mother Dessy. While in Kansas City he enjoyed the excitement of hot rod racing and bull riding. Don proudly served the military in both the Air Force where he was part of the 101st Airborne stationed in Germany , and the Army where he spent 2 years in Korea. Looking back he felt like God was working through him in Korea when he encouraged the military to invite the Korean children to attend church in the encampment. During his military career he received the United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars, National Defense Service Medal, and the Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged in 1953, he was hired on with Blacks, Sivils, and Bryson building grain bins. This led him to start his own business building grain bins in Missouri and surrounding states. He was married on April 12, 1957 to Joan Miller who preceded him in death in June, 2001. Don’s passions included hunting, fishing, shooting, auctions, and collecting. He was a member of the Fox Hunters Assn. and had many trophies from trap shooting. In 1980 he was issued “The Gospel Ministry” license from Brownington Baptist Church. His connection with children led him to become the youth minister at Allen Street Baptist Church. He also served the Baptist Church in Blairstown. On April 12, 1987 he became ordained into ministry and served Bethlehem Baptist Church in Sedalia for 23 years retiring in 2007. Don married Pat Hamblin (Noble) on October 29, 2004 in Arcola, MO. by Rev. Larry Wheeler. During Don’s retirement he enjoyed preaching part time, working on the farm taking care of cattle, quail, chickens, and pheasants. He enjoyed selling produce the past few years, making new friends and ministering to anyone needing help.
Don was preceded in death by his parents, 8 brothers and sisters, and 2 sons, Billy Bouse and Don L. Bouse, Jr.
Survivors include his wife Pat, of the home; son Jason Hamblin; three daughters, Becky Zink, Jennifer (Terry) Shaw, and Jody (Chad) Eberting; two sisters-in-law; three grandchildren, Daniel Bouse, Kasen Eberting and Kiefer Eberting; as well as a number of nieces, nephews and cousins.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home of Clinton, Missouri.