DONALD LEE ARTHAUD

Donald Lee Arthaud, 93, of Pontiac, MO passed away on February 7, 2015 at the Magnolia Square Nursing & Rehab Center in Springfield, MO. He was born to Mary (Beaird) and Elmer Arthaud on November 4, 1921 at home in Wheeling Missouri.

Don married Dalene Jackson on January 4, 1941. He served in the United States Army during WWII in the 5th Armored and 2nd Armored Divisions from 1944 to 1946. After returning, he worked for Swift and Company in Garden City Kansas. After several moves in Kansas and Missouri he settled his family in McPherson Kansas where he and Dalene raised their two children. He worked several years in retail sales. He then became self-employed owning an RV, motorcycle and sporting goods store in McPherson Kansas before semi-retiring to own and operate Pontiac Lodge in Pontiac MO on Bull Shoals Lake from 1978-1996.

Don enjoyed his family, hunting, fishing, dancing and had many friends from all walks of life. He and Dalene spent several winters in Mission Texas where his brother and wife live. He rarely had a dull moment in his long life. He will be missed.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Mary and Elmer, brothers Herbert, Delbert, and Billy and sister Geraldine Patterson.


Survivors include his loving wife of 74 years, Dalene, his 2 children son Gary (Tami) Arthaud of Springfield, daughter Donna Peterson (Jeff) of McPherson KS, brother Robert (Phyllis) Arthaud of Mission TX, 6 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and 2 great- great grandchildren.

A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Fri, February 13, 2015 at Magnolia Square Nursing Home, 1502 W. Edgewood St., Springfield MO.
Graveside funeral services with Full Military Honors will be held 3:30 p.m. Friday, February 13th at Pontiac Cemetery, Pontiac MO. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to American Legion Post 24, McPherson Kansas. Arrangements are by Clinkingbeard Funeral Home, Gainesville, MO. Online condolences may be made to www.clinkingbeardfuneralhome.com.