Livonia: Suddenly, February 19, 2012 at age 80 years. The BEST husband, father, grandpa and friend you will ever know.
“Big” Don was born December 9, 1931 in Caledonia NY and served in the air force for six years. At the age of 29 he married the love of his life Lois Batzel.
Don worked hard at Annis Dairy for many years and then at Knapp’s Machinery. You could always find him tinkering with the tractors or gabbing with his area friends in front of the shop. All the while he raised beef cattle to help support his family.
Even though he worked very hard every day of his life, he ALWAYS found time for his family. In his 51 years of marriage; Don and Lois raised five (5) children and attended many of their nine (9) grandchildren and seven (7) great-grandchildren’s events. Whether it was for school or sports you could always count on grandpa to be there. Don always found time to spend with his closest and dearest friends: Donna and Bill, Rosemary and Ed, Nancy and John, Helen and Herby. They were always good for a party to spend time to share old times and make new memories.
When not working or with family Don always loved spending time hunting or looking at tractors at an auction.
On February 19, 2012 at 80 years old; our one and only Donald Everett Gfeller left us with an empty space in our hearts that will only be filled when we are with him again. He was our love, our dad, our grandpa and our best friend. He will be missed by all and will always be remembered for his contagious personality.
Don is survived by his wife, Lois Batzel Gfeller; his children, Kimberly (John) Grab of Baltimore, MD, Mark Gfeller of Lakeville, Todd Gfeller of Ft. Myers, FL, Kyle Gfeller of Livonia, Keith (Liza) Gfeller of Avon; grandchildren, Brett Bishop, Jennifer Swift, Carrie Cole, Josh Gfeller, Felicia Gfeller, Amanda Schwendy, Alyssa Gfeller, Jeffrey Sego, Lily Gfeller; great-grandchildren, Brady & Jared Bishop; Taylor, Chloe & Logan Swift; brother-in-law, Dick (Jane) Batzel of Avon; several nieces & nephews. Predeceased by brothers, Vern, Bill, Ray, and Howard Gfeller.
Friends may call Wednesday 5-8 PM at Kevin W. Dougherty Funeral Home, Inc. Routes 15 & 20A, 21 Big Tree St., Livonia, where funeral services will be held Thursday at 11 AM with Rev. Dr. Thomas Taylor officiating. Burial, Union Cemetery, Livonia. Memorial contributions to the Livonia Ambulance Fund, PO Box 8, Livonia, NY 14487 or First Presbyterian Church of East Avon, 5605 East Avon, Lima Rd., Avon, NY 14414. To send condolences or further information, please visit:www.doughertyfuneralhomes.com
Kim,Lois and family, I’m so sorry for your lose. I met Don on a couple diffrent occasions with my dad Roy Patterson Sr. (he passed away January of 2011) Don bought a litter of piglets we had and dad and I bought a bushhog from him. I enjoyed meeting my dad’s friends and see how the farmers deal with each other with respect and a hand shake. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Cindy Patterson Akers
I have great memories of Coach Don and he will be greatly missed … he had a great laugh
My heart and prayers are with you
Mike Halsted
Mark, Keith and Family,
Sorry to hear about your loss.
Your Family is in our thoughts and prayers.
To the Gfeller family –
So sorry to hear Donnie has passed on. He was a nice guy. I remember him way back when his brother Ray in LeRoy was still with us. Ray’s wife, Josephine, who is still in LeRoy called me and told me this sad news. She is also Donnie’s sister-in-law, but she was not mentioned in the obit. My sympathy to all of you.
Lois,
I will always remember Don’s wonderful smile every time he walked through the door at Lakeville Family Medicine. My sympathies to you and your family, cherish all of your wonderful memories of him.
So sorry to hear about Don’s passing. Our thoughts are with you now.
Bob & Sharon Wolter
Gfeller family, So sorry to hear about your loss. Mark, my heart goes out to you.
To the Gfeller Family;
I have had the pleasure of knowing Don for over 50 years. He always greeted me with a smile and a warm hearty hello. Over the years weve had many great discussions regarding politics and agriculture. It was truly a wonderful experience to deal with Don when a repair part was needed for my machinery. I will truly miss him and my sympathy goes out to you all.
Mark and family,
Thinking of you at this time and sending our deepest sympathy on the loss of your father and loved one.
May you take comfort in knowing that the angels have taken him to a better place.
God Bless!