Donald Duane Nelson, age 98, of Jamestown, KS, passed away on Tuesday, May 21, 2024 at Sunset Nursing Home, Concordia, KS. He was born on Sept. 13, 1925 in Jamestown, KS to Alfred W. & Elsie (Moe) Nelson.
He grew up on the family farm and attended country school #65 for grade school and graduated from Jamestown High School in 1943. He farmed until he joined the Army in 1951 during the Korean War and served in Korea until he was discharged in 1956. He returned home to the farm. He joined the U.S. Postal Service and carried mail in Jamestown and Salina until he retired in 1988. While he was carrying mail, he married Norma Jean (Kackley) Whitley on Aug. 9, 1975, and they returned to Jamestown in 1980. He was a member of the Jamestown Community Church.
Duane is survived by his wife, Norma, Jamestown, KS; children, Robert Whitley (Bonnie), Goddard, KS, Randall Whitley (Gail), Jamestown, KS, Russel Whitley, Wichita, KS and Renee Davis (Scott), Jamestown, KS; grandchildren, Brandon, Dustin, Tyler, Randall, Levi, Xanadu, Desiree, Matthew, Yeoman, Taylon, Meechie, Kayla, Jessica, Ashley, Kirstin and Erin, 31 great grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents and sisters, Opal Elaine Payton Hardesty and Laura Lee Platt.
The family selected cremation and a memorial service will be 100 a.m., Monday, June 3, 2024, at the Jamestown Community Church with Pastor Al Paredes officiating. Burial of the cremated remains will be at the Danish Lutheran Cemetery, Rural Jamestown, KS, with military honors conducted by American Legion Post #76 & VFW Post #588. Visitation will be Sunday, June 2, 2024, from 3 to 5 p.m. with the family greeting friends at Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, Concordia. The family suggests memorials to Jamestown Community Church in care of the funeral home. For online condolences, please visit www.chaputbuoy.com. Chaput-Buoy Funeral Home, 325 W. 6th St., PO Box 606, Concordia, KS 66901 has been entrusted with arrangements.
