Donald Corum

Donald Lee Corum was born on January 10, 1926 at the family farm near Holt, Missouri. He was the sixth of thirteen children born to Arthur David Corum and Lorine Coursey Corum. He was preceded in death by his parents, two sisters, and three brothers; one of whom died in infancy. He is survived by seven of his sisters. Don grew up working on the family farms, first near Holt, and then near Stockton, Missouri. He served in the Army during World War II. His battalion left the Phillipines in July of 1945 and was steaming toward Japan to participate in the planned invasion of the main Japanese islands when they received word of the surrender. He attained the rank of Staff Sargeant and served as part of the occupation forces in Japan until he returned to Ft. Sheridan, Illinois, where he received his honorable discharge in December of 1946. Don married Neva Jane Cross in 1949 and together they raised five children; two sons and three daughters. Don was a retired steelworker, with more than thirty-four years of faithful service with Armco Steel in its Kansas City works. He was a faithful member of Churches of Christ for all of his adult life. Don passed from this life on November 20, 2008, at the age of 82. Those who knew him well understand that he is now happily back at work in His Father's Kingdom. He is survived in this world by his loving wife of 59 years; by a son, Gary, and his wife, Diane, of Little Rock, Arkansas; a daughter, Linda Wheatley, of Springfield, Missouri; a daughter, Doneva Cooper, of LaPorte, Texas; a daughter, Karen Palermo, and her husband, Dave, of Independence, Missouri; and a son, Dale, also of Independence. He is also survived by thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren; a host of relatives and many faithful friends. A visitation will be held from 10-11:00 a.m., with a service to follow at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, November 24, 2008 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel. Burial to follow at Mt. Washington Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society or the Sugar Creek Church of Christ.

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