BOURBON – Donald R. Risner, 83, of Argos, passed away at 3:30 p.m. March 7, 2012, in his residence, in the care of his loving family. He was in failing health.
He was born May 25, 1928, in Charleston, W.Va., to Isaac and Dora Busby Risner. On May 27, 1949, he married Dorothy Tyler, who survives.
He was a resident of the Etna Green and Bourbon area for the past 62 years. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II from 1946-47 and then finished his GED after his tour of duty.
He was a used car salesman, having car lots in Bourbon, and served on the Bourbon Police Department from 1959-70, having served as chief of police. His favorite love was fishing with his buddies and grandkids and the fishing trips they took. He enjoyed hunting, hunting for arrowheads, mowing his yard and writing poems, of which he compiled a book, and gardening. He was also known for his love of surveying Indian burial and camps sites in Marshall County, which was also published in a book – “Archaeological Survey of Marshall County”.
He and his wife attended Plymouth Wesleyan Church when he was able.
Also surviving are four daughters: Vicky L. (and spouse Mike) Muller, Lafayette; Linda M. (and spouse Jerad) Sanders, Bourbon; Patricia K. Risner, South Bend; and Kathleen Jo (and spouse Brian) Adams, Polson, Mont.; 12 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; and a great-great-grandchild. He was preceded in death by a grandson, Thomas Anthony Ketcham, and his two sisters, Barbara Britt and Betty Short.
Services will be at 2 p.m. Tuesday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, 115 S. Main St., Bourbon, with the Rev. John Branch officiating. Burial will be in Pleasant Hill Cemetery, Bourbon, with a military graveside service by Bourbon American Legion.
Calling is from 4 to 8 p.m. Monday at the funeral home. ***** Memorials may be made to Marshall County Hospice and Palliative Care.
