of North Little Rock, AR
March 9, 1937 - June 3, 2011
Donald Arthur Wilbern of North Little Rock is forever at home with the Savior he faithfully served as of June 3, 2011. He was born March 9, 1937 to the late Arthur Wilbern and Tulsa (McHughes) Wilbern. Donald leaves to cherish his memory, his loving wife Sarah Evelyn. Together, for more than 53 years they experienced a joyous companionship. Survivors include daughters Carol Soulsby of Maumelle and Teresa Whitley of Sherwood. He was blessed to enjoy four grandchildren, Nicole and Collin Soulsby of Maumelle, Alexis and Brett Whitley of Sherwood, a brother, Fred Wilbern (Knoxie) of Damascus and sister Marie Jobe of Alexander. He was preceded in death by his parents.
Growing up Donald was such a good baseball player that he was asked to join the White Sox Team, but enlisted in the United States Air Force instead. He was a volunteer for the Oak Grove Fire Dept. for 35 years. His passion was spending time at the Bear House Hunting Club where he was a member for 49 years. Other passions include, listening to gospel music, grilling for his family and watching nature from his back porch. But his #1 passion was spending time with his grandchildren. He had a big heart and an enormous love for his family.
The only thing Donald "Pawpaw" loved more than his family and friends was his Lord and Savior. Trinity Lutheran Church was his church for 38 years and he's been a member of Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church since 1995.
The family wishes to celebrate Donald's life with friends and family during a visitation from 6-8 p.m., Monday, June 6, 2011, at Roller-Owens Funeral Home, 5509 John F. Kennedy Blvd., North Little Rock, Arkansas (501-791-7400). Services will be at the Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church at 10 a.m., Tuesday, June 7, 2011 in Maumelle with Pastor Paul Mayerhoff officiating. Interment will follow at Arkansas Memorial Gardens in North Little Rock. Memorials may be made in his honor in lieu of flowers to Shepherd of Peace Lutheran Church, 449 Millwood Circle, P.O. Box 13143, Maumelle, AR 72113.
Online guestbook www.rollerfuneralhomes.com/owens
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29 Condolence(s)
Pam Rudd Duran
Monday, June 13, 2011
Dear Mrs.Evelyn,Carol and Teresa,
I am so sorry to hear of the passing of Mr. Donald. He was a great man and I know he will be missed by his family and his community. May God comfort you and give you peace in the days ahead.
Pam Rudd Duran
Austin McKay
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Mr. Wilbern was very great guy. I only knew him for a short while but, we seemed to become like friends through that time. You will be missed by many.
Ms. Evelyn I am very sorry. Everybody has you and your family in their hearts, prayers, and minds.
-Austin McKay
Tommie & Milton
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Evelyn & Family
Words cannot express the shock & disbelieve when we heard about Don. I know you are in a state of shock and hurting. We so loved seeing you & Don together. He always had a big grin on his face. shepherd of Peace are going to miss that.
I always loved seeing your beautiful family fill a pew when they would join you all.
We ALL know he is with our Heavenly Father. Will be praying for you & your family as you go thru this grief.
Love
Tommie &.Milton Halford
Tara Havnes-Lewellen
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Dear Evelyn and Girls!
I am truely sorry for your loss. Donald was a wonderful man and will be greatly missed! You and your families are in our thougths and prayers!
Love:
Mike,Tara, Hunter and Tyler Lewellen
( Ralph and Peggy Havens's daugther and family)
Cheryl/jerry Park
Monday, June 6, 2011
We are so glad to call you friend and cousin. What a wonderful Easter we enjoyed with you and your family this year; it meant so much to us and we will always remember that day.
Cheryl/jerry Park
Monday, June 6, 2011
We are so glad to call you friend and cousin. What a wonderful Easter we enjoyed with you and your family this year; it meant so much to us and we will always remember that day.
Philip Owens
Monday, June 6, 2011
They don't come any better than Donald. Always enjoyed the times we were able to visit and spend together.
Kelly Hedrick
Monday, June 6, 2011
Carol, you and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Amanda Dorsett
Monday, June 6, 2011
I will always remember Don for his wonderful smile and big hugs! Don loved talking about his family and his smile would get extra wide at the mention of his grandchildren. He was an amazing bright light here on Earth and made such an impact on everyone who had the joy of knowing him. I am going to miss you Don but look forward to when I arrive at the pearly gates you will be there to give me a big hug and say welcome!
Lauren McKay
Monday, June 6, 2011
Mr. Wilbern was like another grandfather to me!! i will miss him deeply. His stories of wisdom and encouragement helped me grow into the young woman I am today. I know he his above me watching over me now, and I can't wait until we are all reunited with him!!! Love you and Miss you Mr. Wilbern!!
Ms. Evelyn, you are always in my thoughts and prayers and i love you very much!! I will never forget the memories we all shared from church!!
Love, Lauren <3
Steve Rogers
Monday, June 6, 2011
I guess I am a new comer to Bearhouse, but in the short time I have known Don he has become one of my favorite people. He always had a smile and a welcoming handshake when I would arrive. It won,t be the same without him. May God be with you now and in the days to come. I miss him already. Steve
Jim & Rose Shelley
Monday, June 6, 2011
Lord, Receive this soul into the heavens, May he walk beside You among the stars.
Thank you for being my firend.
DAVID ZIMMEREBNER
Monday, June 6, 2011
A GOOD MAN! I HAVE KNOWN DON SINCE 1998 @ NLR WATER DEPT & LIKED HIM FROM FIRST DAY WE MET. JUST HAD 1ST GRAND BABY THE MONTH BEFORE & HE WAS TELLING ME HOW GREAT IT IS TO BE A PAWPAW (MY NAME ALSO).
August Banaszak
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I am sadden by the loss of Donald, a Husband, Father, Grandfather, A Good Man, As youngsters, the memories we shared when our families got together, laughing, joking, Jeep rides, Those hunting stories, My Parents enjoyed those visits so much. Dons in a better place, we will all reunite with our loved ones someday. My condolences, Gus
Wayne and Pat Kerr
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Don was a good friend. We will miss him. Prays to all family.
Larry and Waynette Allred
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Miss Evelyn, our hearts and prays are with you and your family. Don was a great friend and hunting buddy and will be missed dearly.
Jerry Geddes
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Evelyn,
I am sorry for the loss of your mate and friend. I will miss seeing him on Sundays.
jerry
Brenda Phillips Shaw
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Evelyn, Carol and family so sorry for your loss, may he rest in peace Brenda Phillips Shaw
Dave Wilbern
Sunday, June 5, 2011
I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of Uncle Donald. I was fortunate to spend a few minutes with him at my mom's funeral and I know he will be missed very much. Your family will be in our thoughts.
Love,
Dave, Sherry and Henry Atticus Wilbern
Susan Pebsworth
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Evelyn-I am so sorry for your loss! I am so sad and will deeply miss Mr.Wilbern he was such a wonderful man!! Your family is in my thoughts and prayers!! Susan
Mike & Bernie Allgaier
Sunday, June 5, 2011
We are so sorry the hear of Donald's passing.
I remember the deer hunting times with my dad (Gus). and the stories they would tell at the kitchen table.
You all are in our prayers. God Bless.
Jesse & April Lewis
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Mr. Wilbern was a great & caring man that I enjoyed spending time with at deercamp. He was loved by us all and will be greatly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Sincerly,
Jesse, April & Adelynn Lewis
Elizabeth Jobe Canterbury
Sunday, June 5, 2011
My Uncle Donald was one of the greatest men I have ever known. I miss him already...but am so thankful, I will see him again one day. I am so blessed, to be a part of this family.
claude wilbern
Sunday, June 5, 2011
although we seem to only see each other on sad occasions, we still have those fond memories of a better , more fun filled , and happy time that we all had growing up. when don was young , there was his love for baseball, and his hope to play professionally. those were a time when family meant togetherness; and we were always together every weekend at uncle arthurs and tulsa's, and grandma and grandpa's. those were the days when we all relied on one another for joy in the good times, and support and sympathy in the bad. this is a bad time for the family of donald wilbern , but a joyous time for don. we grieve with evelyn and children, but also feel joyous for don. may God's continue to rain upon you, and grant you much peace in the days ahead
Donald LeCroy
Sunday, June 5, 2011
He was one of the best Guys you would ever meet. Would do anything for anybody, anytime. He will be missed. Our prayers are with you Ms. E. Donald LeCroy
Mark Hillemann
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Don and I spent many days together doing yard work at church,and he was hard to keep up with,and he really enjoyed it,and cutting trees that needed it,he was a expert,the man always had that big ole smile,and a hardy hanshake,and make you feel like your the most important person in the world,my entire family will always treasure his memory.
Shelly Carvajal
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Many wonderful times of laughter with Mr. Wilbern. Always loved to come over to you all's home and sit and visit. My prayers are with you all. Shelly & Homer
Charles Wetzler
Saturday, June 4, 2011
No one ever had a better friend.
lynn barber
Saturday, June 4, 2011
Don was a very nice person. He always seemed to be happy and did love to sing gospel songs. He will be missed by the community as well as family and friends.