Donald Eugene Ivie, Sr., 85, of Zalma, Missouri, passed away Feb. 28, 2022 at his home surrounded by family. He was born Oct. 19, 1936 in Cairo, Illinois, the son of Paul H. Ivie Sr. and Alice Marie Mattox Ivie Courtney.
Donald was a veteran of the USAF from July 7, 1954 to July 7, 1958.
Donald was united in marriage to Norma “Sue” Gremar Aug. 29, 1959 at Kankakee, Illinois, and she survives of the home.
Donald moved to Southern California in 1966 where he worked for North American Rockwell Aviation. Later he moved to El Paso, Texas where he worked for Baptist Spanish Publishing House until he retired in 1996 due to health reasons. He lived in Seguin, Texas for two years before moving to Albuquerque, New Mexico in 2001. In 2005 he moved to the Zalma area.
Donald was a member of the Bethel General Baptist Church since January 2007. He started a video ministry. He and his wife were also the unofficial church photographers for many years. He was a Ham Radio operator and loved to talk to his friends all over the country each morning, except on Sundays.
Donald also loved to paint on canvas and continued until four days before he died. He had a dry sense of humor and kept his friends laughing. He also was known for spinning a two-minute tale into a 30-minute story! Donald’s many health issues slowed him down as he got older, but he would never give up. Many times, he would say to friends, “You need to start out slow and then taper off!”
Survivors include: two sons, Donald (Mary) Ivie, Jr. of Rio Rancho, New Mexico and Brian (Paula) Ivie, Sr. of Linn Creek, Missouri; two daughters, Joni (Tom) Lippert of Rio Rancho, and Debra (Ed) Perez of San Antonio, Texas; a sister, Mary Norvell of Ocala, Florida; 14 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; one great-great-grandchild; many loving nieces and nephews and a host of other relatives.
He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers; two sisters; and two great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 9-11 a.m. March 4, 2022, at Bethel General Baptist Church near Advance, Missouri. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. at Bethel General Baptist. Burial will follow at the Missouri State Veteran Cemetery at Bloomfield, Missouri. Rev. Fred Ritter will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Bethel General Baptist of Advance or the Bollinger County Stray Project.