Donald Allen Warstler

We gather here today to remember and celebrate the life of a remarkable man—Don Warstler, known to many simply as “DW.” Born in Baxter Springs, Kansas, on May 30, 1935, DW was a man whose life was rooted in strength, service, and deep devotion to the people he loved. In September of 1954, he married his high school sweetheart, Beverly Wells. Their marriage stood the test of time, lasting 63 years until Beverly’s passing in 2017—a true testament to love and loyalty. DW served his country with pride, enlisting in the United States Army on March 12, 1958. As a track vehicle mechanic, he applied his skills with precision and dedication, completing a tour in Butzbach, Germany. He remained in service until March 11, 1964. Those years in uniform were a reflection of the discipline, work ethic, and quiet strength that defined his character. Back home, DW continued his life of hard work and service. He spent time at Fred Jones Ford in Oklahoma City before moving on to WonderBread, where he worked as a diesel mechanic for over 30 years until he retired. He built a reputation that stuck with him—his coworkers used to say there was a company way, the right way, and then there was DW’s way. And guess which one they followed? That was the kind of man he was: respected, exacting, and the one everyone trusted to do it right. On April 14, 1959, DW and Beverly welcomed their first son, Terry, followed by Jerry on December 29, 1960. Family was always at the center of DW’s world. He was a husband, a father, a grandfather, and a great-grandfather—a role he filled with quiet pride and enduring love. He was preceded in death by his wife, Beverly Warstler; his father, Floyd Warstler; his mother, Bessie Warstler; his son, Jerry Warstler; his brother, Kent Warstler; and his sisters, Jean Stafford and June Clark. He is survived by his son Terry Warstler and Terry’s wife Judy; his grandson Sean Warstler and wife Alyssa; and his great-grandchildren Mickey, Aurora, and Novalin. He is also remembered fondly by many extended family and friends. One of the things DW and Beverly cherished most was their community. They loved their neighbors deeply and prayed constantly for the blessing of close, meaningful relationships wherever they lived. That legacy of neighborly love and faith continues through the generations—something their family still honors and carries forward. Those who knew DW knew him as steady, reliable, and kind. He didn’t need to say much to make an impact—his actions, his commitment, and his presence said it all. He was a man of grit and grace, someone who built a legacy not through grand gestures, but through a lifetime of small, meaningful acts. Even after Beverly’s passing, DW carried himself with that same unshakable spirit. And though we feel the pain of his loss today, we also feel grateful—grateful to have known him, to have learned from him, and to have been loved by him. Today we say goodbye not just to a veteran, a husband, and a father—but to a cornerstone of our family. DW leaves behind a legacy of strength, honor, faith, and love that will carry on in all of us. Rest easy, DW. You’ve earned it.