Donovan Burress Obituary (1935

Mr. Donovan "Don" Burress age 75, of Milton, Kentucky, entered this life on June 24, 1935 in Switzerland County, Indiana. He was the son of the late, Chester Ray & Ella Nora Butters Burress. He resided his early life in Switzerland County and was a 1953 graduate of Central High School on Ryker's Ridge. He attended Indiana University South East. He was inducted into the United States Army in 1957, during the Vietnam War and rose to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He was honorably discharged in 1965. Don was united in marriage on August 7, 1965 to Connie Franklin. This union was blessed with one daughter and two sons. He resided in Oakland County, Michigan for 38 years and was employed with Mobile Refrigeration for 4 1/2 years and then with Transport Refrigeration as a mechanic and reefer technician for a total of 24 years of service. Don was a gifted musician and was accomplished at playing the fiddle, violin, guitar, bass & mandolin. He was known as "Don and Kountry Kapers. Don also played with "Ramblin Country & "Cool Country Band". He had also opened shows for Dale Reeves, Ferlin Husky, Tex Ritter & Tommy Cash. He also played with Country Artist, Freddie Hart and was an instrumentalist with the song, "Easy Lovin". Don was united in marriage on May 7, 2004 to Cleda Mae Keeton Ashby in Dale, Indiana. Don enjoyed wintering in Mt. Dora, Florida with his wife and was a member of the Lake Saunders Baptist Church in Lake Saunders, Florida. He was a faithful member of the North Madison Baptist Church in Madison, Indiana where he served as a Deacon. He also enjoyed membership in the Madison Moose Lodge No. 765 and Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. He enjoyed entertaining senior citizens at local nursing homes in Madison and in Mt. Dora. Donovan died Thursday ,May 26, 2011 at 5:05 a.m. at his home in Milton, Kentucky. A LOVING FAMILY Donovan will be missed by his loving wife: Cleda Mae Keeton Ashby Burress of Milton, Kentucky; his daughter: Ginger Lynn Thomas & her husband, Lance of Norman, Oklahoma; sons: Bruce Charles Burress of Waterford, Michigan, Byron Edward Burress & his wife, Jill of Farmington, Michigan; his step son: James V. Ashby & his wife, Cheryl of Madison, Indiana; his step daughters: Sondra M. "Sandi" Nolan & her husband, Mike of Trimble County, Kentucky, Darla Mae Winchester-Guy of Austin, Indiana; his loving grandchildren: John Franklin Thomas, Taryn Burress, David Burress, Donovan James Burress, & Rachel Burress; his step grandchildren: Jamie Ashby, Lena Ashby, Anthony Winchester, John Ashby, Joshua Ashby, Caleb Ashby, David Ashby, Amanda Ashby, Jesse Guy; his step great grandchildren: Blake Ashby, Brittany Sprong & Ryleigh Ashby; his sister: Agnes "Aggie" Lewis of Madison, Indiana; his sister in law: Wanda Yocum Burress of Lexington, Indiana; several nieces, nephews, cousins & other relatives. He was preceded in death by his parents, Chester Ray & Ella Nora Butters Burress; his brothers, Alvin O. Burress, Sr. died, Nov. 29, 2006; Robert C. "Bob " Burress died, August 28, 2007; his sister, Ella Louise David; his brothers in law & sisters in law, Charles V. Keeton, Herman A. Keeton, Marie Burress, Leland R. Lewis and his nephew, Ronnie Lee Burress. FUNERAL CEREMONY Funeral services will be conducted Tuesday, May 31, 2011 at 11:00 a.m., by Rev. Frank McGee at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. Interment will follow in the Grandview Memorial Gardens near Madison, Indiana. VISITATION Friends may call Monday from 4:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday from 9:00 a.m. until time of the service at the Morgan & Nay Funeral Centre, 325 Demaree Drive in Madison, Indiana. SPECIAL SERVICES Full military honors will be conducted at the graveside by Jefferson Post 9, of the American Legion. MEMORIAL EXPRESSIONS Memorial contributions may be made to the North Madison Baptist Church. Cards are available at the funeral home. To send a flower arrangement in memory of Donovan Burress, please click here to visit our sympathy store.