Donald E. Imel

Mr. Imel died Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2004, at St. Catherine Hospital in Garden City.

He was born Oct. 12, 1925, in Ford County, the son of George Washington and Lillie Katherine Chambers Imel. He graduated from Dodge City High School in 1944. He moved to Garden City in 1969.

Mr. Imel served in the 87th Infantry Division of U.S. Army in three campaigns during World War II. He was a prisoner of war and served in Germany and Belgium. He received a Brown Star and a combat infantry badge. He worked for Cliff Crane in Dodge City as a mechanic for five years. He worked at different garages in Dodge City as a service manager. He then worked for Kansas Department of Transportation in Garden City as shop foreman and district shop superintendent. He was a member of the first team to win Dodge City Tournament of Champions in 1944.

He attended First Christian Church of Garden City, and was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars John J. Haskell Post 2279, the Eagles Lodge and Moose Lodge in Dodge City, Scottish Rite Masonic Lodge 222 in Dodge City, and Shrine of Wichita.

He married Gertrude “Stella” Douglass on Sept. 30, 1944, in Temple, Texas. She died March 15, 2001.

Survivors include a daughter, Cynthia K. Nitcher, Lawrence; a son Rodney D., Winfield; a brother, Neil, Dodge City; a sister Edna Day, Dodge City; four grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at Garnand Funeral Home in Garden City, where the family will receive them from 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday.

The family suggests memorials to the church or American Cancer Society, sent in care of the funeral home, 412 N. Seventh St., Garden City 67846.