Donald E. King

Donald E. King of Rogers, Ark., passed away March 9, 2012, at Circle of Life Hospice in Springdale, Ark. Born on Aug. 14, 1929, in Rockford, Ill., to Fred and Hulda King, he was the youngest of four children. Don was raised in Loves Park, Ill., and graduated from Harlem High School in 1947. He was a member of the Illinois Army National Guard 44th Infantry that was called to active duty during the Korean conflict, stationed at Camp Cooke. Prior to leaving for duty in California, he married the former Mary Wingle in October of 1951. After his discharge, he returned to his home town of Loves Park. Shortly after arriving back to Illinois, Don was offered a position with the Los Angeles Times Mirror Newspaper in California. During this period of time their daughter, Sharon, was born, and in 1960 he and the family returned to Loves Park, where he owned and operated King Mower Sales & Service. Having a continued interest in the newspaper business, he purchased Post Publishers Inc. along with his father-in-law, John Wingle, in 1970 and served as general manager. After selling the newspaper in 1978, he worked at the Shopper Advertiser in Delevan, Wis., and then retired to Rogers in 1991. Don had a passion for working with wood and became a master craftsman when it came to designing and fabricating furniture. Don also was blessed after retirement to take a job with the First Christian Church in Rogers, where he worked for five years, and continued opening and closing the church each Sunday until January of 2012. Don was a "mister fix-it;" he loved helping friends with projects and working around his home. His family and friends always enjoyed his unique sense of humor. Don was preceded in death by his parents, one sister and one brother. He is survived by his wife, Mary; one daughter, Sharon and husband, John Tobolka, three grandsons, Jason, Clay and Matt, all of Austin, Texas; one sister, Mildred Bruno of Murrieta, Calif.; and several nieces and nephews. In addition, Don leaves his special God-son, Tom Milroy and wife, Carrie, and their children, Steven and Stephanie, of Marysville, Ohio. A celebration of Don's life will be held at 10 a.m. at the First Christian Church, Disciples of Christ, 13th & Oak St., in Rogers on Saturday, March 31, with the Rev. Shawn Wallace and Ronny Nowell officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Circle of Life Hospice, 901 Jones Road, Springdale, AR 72762 and First Christian Church, 905 South 13th Street, Rogers, AR 72758. Arrangements have been entrusted to Stockdale-Moody Funeral Services of Rogers. Online condolences may be made to stockdalefuneral.com.