Donald L. Lile

Donald L. Lile, age 73, of Garnett, Kansas, journeyed peacefully to his Heavenly home in the early morning of May 20, 2023, surrounded by beloved friends and family at AdventHealth, Ottawa, Kansas.

Donald Lee Lile was born on August 16, 1949, in the elevator going up to the delivery room, at the Ft. Lewis Army Post, Tacoma, Washington. He was the son of Samuel D. and Hazel Marie (Fort) Lile. His dad did not want his name to be Donald, but his mother won out, yet his dad called him Charlie all of his life.

Donnie spent his childhood in Protection, Kansas; Denver, Colorado; and Paola, Kansas, before his family moved to Greeley, Kansas, in 1964, where he attended high school with the Class of 1967.

On November 9, 1967, Donnie was united in marriage to Bonnie Jo Ray at the First Christian Church in Garnett, Kansas. In January of 1977, they were blessed with their son, Nathan Ray Lile.

Don began working on bridge construction in his teens and continued until he took a job with Marley Cooling Tower Company in Olathe, Kansas. After turning down a mandatory move to Houston, Texas, he began drafting designs with Garnett Church Furniture. Don saw an ad in the paper for someone to work Wednesday evenings and Saturday mornings at Penn's Apco gas station. He subtly hinted to Bonnie that it would be a great little second job (for her). Bonnie promptly called Betty Penn and asked if the job was still open, and she said "yes," and Bonnie told her Don would like to apply. It turned out to be one of his favorite jobs. He met a lot of people and made some good friends there, including the Penns and the Gretencords. Later, Don was an Engineering Tech Senior for KDOT as a highway inspector, retiring in 2011. After being bored by retirement, he went back to work. This time for Cook Flatt & Strobel Consulting Engineers. He also worked for Anderson County as the County Sanitarian. Don loved working, and continued until his health no longer allowed it.

Don was a member of the Trinity Lutheran Church in Garnett, serving the congregation as President and Elder. He was honored to be Santa's helper in Garnett at the schools and on the firetruck in the Christmas parade, for many years. He was a kid magnet, and was the guy who would gladly hold a newborn baby anytime. Don was a Scout Master of Troop 126 for 12 years, he helped to mentor 19 Scouts, including his son, to earn their Eagle Scout rank. When he passed the Scout Master torch on, he stayed on as the Committee Chair for several additional years. He was a Sachem in the Tribe of Mic-O-Say, an honorary tribe at H. Roe Bartle Scout Camp in Osceola, Missouri.

Donnie was involved in Hunter Education since it began in Anderson County in the 1970's. He taught the favorite class, Black Powder Rifle. He loved assisting the students in how to load the big rifle and then getting to actually shoot it at the target. Don was also a member of the Sons of the American Legion, and the Patriot Guard.

Donnie enjoyed camping, traveling, reading western books, and watching western movies, but he especially loved motorcycles. Harleys were his passion, and he loved hitting the road with his friends for an extended ride on a curvy, hilly road. He loved all dogs, but especially his dog, Rockie. Rock would carry his leash to him sometimes at 10:00 at night and he would get up and take him for a ride around the lake or down a country road "hunting."

He was preceded in death by his son, Nathan; his parents, Sam and Hazel Lile; his father-in-law and mother-in-law, Joe and Lizzie Ray; his sister, Connie Ray and her husband, Ivan; and nephew, Jason Furnish.

Donnie is survived by his wife, Bonnie; nephew, Tracy Ray; niece, Michelle Ray; and great niece, Mikayla Furnish. Don also leaves behind many, many friends who became family; he had a heart big enough for them all.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 A.M. on Friday, May 26, 2023 at the Trinity Lutheran Church in Garnett, Kansas. Burial will follow at the Garnett Cemetery. Donnie's family will greet friends from 6:00 P.M. - 8:00 P.M. on Thursday evening at the Feuerborn Family Funeral Service chapel in Garnett, Kansas. Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran Church or Prairie Paws and left in care of Feuerborn Family Funeral Service, PO Box 408, Garnett, Kansas 66032. Condolences to the family may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com .