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