Donald Eugene Favor, 82, was born June 17, 1938 and passed away peacefully from ALS on November 29, 2020. After graduating from Gilman City High School in 1956, he served in the United States Army, then returned to Gilman City and married the love of his life Patty Gillespie. Don owned and operated the Gilman Mill for many years and Don and Patty resided in the Gilman City and Ridgeway areas throughout their 57-year marriage.
Don’s pride and joy were his four girls: Judy Favor of Olathe, KS, Becky (Dave) Lyons of Pleasant Hill, IA, Barb (Myrle) Swank of Jamesport, MO, and Pam (Eric) Padget of Baxter, IA. He also derived much joy from his 8 grandchildren: Danny (Rachel) King; Michael (Madeline) King; Kaylie, Brady, and Karissa Lyons; and Brendyn, Ally, and Corryn Padget and three great-grandchildren, Kaleb King (Danny) and Gregory and Nathan King (Michael).
Besides his family, Don’s priorities were his faith, friends, and horses. He was an active member of the Ridgeway Baptist church and enjoyed the fellowship and support of the men’s group there. Don never knew a stranger, and any of his daughters’ friends who came to hang out at the farm, instantly became “family.” He particularly enjoyed taking the grandkids and new farm guests on memorable four-wheeler or Kaboda rides to check the cows. After retiring from the South Harrison High School maintenance department, he spent many hours sharing his love for horses with others by participating in local county parades with his team and wagon, providing wagon rides at area nursing homes, and his favorite annual activity – giving kids and families wagon rides at the Reindeer Lane Christmas Tree Farm in Trimble, MO.
In addition to his wife, children, and grandchildren, survivors include a sister, Rose Ann (Favor) Cochran of Mt. Airy, NC; sisters-in-law, Linda Favor of Albany, MO, and Sue McCue of Bethany, MO, as well as several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents Bill and Eva Favor, brother, Bill Favor, and great-grandson, Jacob King.
Funeral Services will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, December 5 at the Ridgeway Baptist Church, Ridgeway, MO under the direction of Roberson Funeral Home, Bethany, MO. Burial with Military Rites will follow in Rose Hill Cemetery, Ridgeway, MO. The family will receive friends from 5:00-7:00 p.m. Friday at the church where social distancing will be observed and masks are required per the family’s request. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Mid-America Chapter of the ALS Association in care of Roberson Funeral Home, P.O. Box 46, Bethany, MO 64424. Online condolences may be left at www.robersonfuneralhome.com