Donald L. Rose, 76, died Dec. 8, 2009, at Hospice House, Hutchinson.

He was born Sept. 4, 1933, in Ingalls, Kansas, the son of Theodore and Lena Warfield Rose.

He graduated from Lewis High School and then attended Fort Hays State College.

On June 7, 1953 he married Evelyn Rose Wight in Kinsley.

He served with the KC97 Refueling Squadron in the Air Force. He retired in 1987, as an air traffic controller having worked in Tucumcari, New Mexico and Dodge City. Donald was a longtime member of the First United Methodist Church, Dodge City and was in the Builders Sunday School Class, before becoming a member of the South Hutchinson United Methodist Church.

Survivors include: his wife Evelyn Rose, South Hutchinson; sons, John Rose and wife Cindy, Omaha, Neb, Reverend Mike Rose and wife Theresa, Salina, Tim Rose and wife Lori, Lima, Ohio; brothers, Wayne Rose, Kinsley, Howard Rose, Belle Plaine, Bud Rose, Laurel, Mont.; sisters, Joyce Fuller, Hutchinson, Belva Mills, Wichita, Pat Watermiller, Dodge City, Sharon Goble, Andover; nine grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents and two grandsons.

Funeral will be at 10 a.m. Saturday, December 12, 2009, at South Hutchinson United Methodist Church with the Rev. Tim Ault-Duell, the Rev. Mike Rose and Chaplain Bob Phipps presiding. Friends may call 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Thursday and Friday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be at 2:30 p.m. Saturday in Wayne Cemetery in Lewis, Ks.

Memorials may be made to the First United Methodist Church in Dodge City, South Hutchinson United Methodist Church, Hospice of Reno County or the ALS Association-Keith Worthington Chapter, in care of the mortuary.

Visit www.elliottmortuary.com to leave a personal message for the family.