Donald L. Pauley 92, died Tuesday May 18, 2021 at his Newton residence. He was born January 4, 1929 in Rooks County, Kansas to George and Emma (McNutt) Pauley.
He served his country in the United States Army where he was a code breaker and served during the peace time immediacy following WWII.
On April 8th 1950 he married Jean Pauley at the Presbyterian Church in Carlton, Kansas.
Donald was a founding member of the Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Newton.
During his working years he worked as a herdsman for the former McPherson College Dairy; as a plumber and in construction where he worked on the crew that built the first all steel grain elevator in Kansas.
Following retirement he and his wife worked summers on the National Parks Service program at Yellowstone Park.
Don enjoyed keeping up with his children, grandkids, great grandkids and his great great grandkids and the many friends and extended family he met.
He is survived by his children Michael Pauley; Mark and his wife Jo Pauley; Joyce and her husband Jerry Roth; and Nancy Koehn. He is also survived by 12 grandchildren; 30 great grandchildren and many great great grandchildren.
Donald is preceded in death by his parents; wife Jean; sister Doris Conley; granddaughter Elizabeth Pauley; daughter in law Lea Pauley and son in law Stan Koehn.
Memorial service will be 11:00 a.m., Friday May 21, 2021 at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church with The Reverend Donna Voteau presiding. Prior the service friends are invited to join the family for coffee and rolls at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Memorials are suggested to Trinity Heights United Methodist Church or the Kansas Honor Flight in care of Petersen Funeral Home.
To the children of Jean and Don Pauley. I am your second cousin who has not seen you in 50 years. I am so sorry to hear about cousin Don’s passing. I found out about Jean’s passing less than a year ago. They always stopped in Emporia when I lived there when they were coming or going from Iowa. I miss them. Our days date back to they days at the dairy when I got to spend the weekends with dad (Herman Lauxman). Many, many fond memories. I miss you all and share your sorrow. May our Lord grant us continued strength in the days ahead.