Donald Dale Roberts

Donald "Don" Dale Roberts, 66, of Topeka, passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2008. He was born August 15, 1942 in Dighton, KS, the son of Eldon Eugene and Wilma Winona (Weiler) Roberts. He was a graduate of Topeka High School. He served six years in the United States Navy aboard the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise during the Vietnam conflict, served as past-commander of the American Legion, Post No. 400 of North Topeka, and was a life-time member of the Moose Lodge No. 555 and a member of the International Association of Turtles. He was retired from Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.

Donald married Kathryn Jane Stover on May 4, 1966, at Miami, OK. She preceded him in death on March 5, 2007 after 40 years of marriage. Survivors include five brothers, Kenny (Sandy) Roberts, Walt (Dee) Roberts, Jimmy D.(Virginia) Roberts, Larry (Ann) Roberts, and Thomas (Sherry) Roberts; three sisters, Linda Calderwood, Marcheta (Gary) Goebel, and Carolyn Neill; as well as many nieces and nephews.

Don was a very kind and gentle man with a contagious smile for those who knew him and even those who did not. To know him was to love him. The courage, bravery, and endurance he so gracefully displayed during his illness made him a hero to all who were lucky enough to have known him. Don's smile, personality, and sense of humor will be greatly missed by all.

Funeral services will be 1 p.m., Monday, December 1, 2008 at the Penwell-Gabel Parker Price Chapel, 245 NW Independence, Topeka. Interment with military honors by American Legion Post No. 400 will follow at Rochester Cemetery, Topeka. Mr. Roberts will lie in state after 3 p.m., Sunday at the funeral home where the family will receive friends from 6-8 p.m. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Heart of America Hospice, 3715 SW 29th, Suite 20Topeka, KS 66614. They are a wonderful and caring group of people and became a second family to Don who had grown very attached to them.