Donald E. Carter

Donald E. Carter, 93 of Topeka, passed away on Thursday, September 20, 2018 at Sunflower Memory Center at the Topeka Veterans Administration Hospital in Topeka.   He was born February 17, 1925 in Topeka the son of Joseph Carter and Sigrid Johnson Carter.   Donald grew up in Topeka with 10 brothers and sisters.   He married Lucille Siegel on November 1, 1946 in Topeka.  They were married 69 years.  She preceded him in death in 2016.  He worked for over 40 years for the Gas Service Company as a meter reader or in collections before retiring.   He was a member of Post #400 of the American Legion.  In Don's 93 years of life he only moved 8 feet from where he was born on Winter Street.  Don loved to hunt, fish and golf with his brother in laws and friends.  He also loved going to Porubsky's Deli every Saturday to be with his friends and enjoy a bowl of chili.
Don was extremely proud to serve his country during WWII. He was a carpenter's mate in the Seabee's, stationed in the Marshall Islands, in the 31st Naval Construction Battalion.  Don earned both a Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign and the Victory Medal during the war. Don loved to tell his story: after 6 nights of continuous air raid sirens, he decided to skip the foxhole and stay in his tent. Unfortunately, it was this night when the sirens were right and Don was blown out of his cot and he acquired his famous 50 cent piece. This coin was in Don’s pocket and was warped and burnt – and he enjoyed showing this while sharing his story. After coming home, Don also served his community as a volunteer fireman, with Soldier Township, for over 45 years. He also worked for the Kansas Gas Service Company for over 40 years as a meter reader and in collections.
He is survived by three daughters, Linda Weibel (Daryl) of Topeka, Pam Tatum of Lenexa and Roxie Russell (Bill) of Topeka; sister, Genevieve Woodbury of Topeka; six beautiful granddaughters, Kim (Shawn) Bush, Kristi (Scott) Weibel - Miller, Jennifer Tatum, April (Chris) Meyer, Lindy Russell and Kelli Tatum; nine great-grandchildren, Chandler, Chase, Carson, Carter, McKenna, Isabella, Kaylee, Rylee and Lincoln.   He is also survived by a brother-in-law, Mervin "Joke" Dillon; two sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Stickney and Diana Siegel, along with many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by  three brothers, Ralph, Jody and Charles Carter; five sisters, Marjorie Dillon, Eva Arnold, Frances Taylor, Ruth Gleason and Edith Sylvies.
He will lie in state at the Davidson Funeral Home from 12-6 pm on Tuesday, September 25th.  Funeral services will be held at 10:30 Wednesday, September 26, 2018 at Jefferson Assembly of God Church at Meriden.  The family will receive friends beginning at 9:30 Wednesday morning prior to the funeral service.   Military honors and interment will follow the service at Prairie Home Cemetery in Topeka.  Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson Assembly of God or to the Sunflower Memory Center.