Donald Lee Milstead

Donald Lee Milstead, 73, of Independence and Edwards, MO lost his valiant fight with pancreatic cancer on September 24, 2004. Services will be 2 pm Wednesday, September 29th at First Presbyterian Church of Independence; with interment in Floral Hills Cemetery. Visitation will be Tuesday from 7 to 8:30 pm at George C. Carson & Sons Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Benton County Hospice, PO Box 935, Warsaw, MO 65355 or Wings of Mercy, Ararat Shrine, 5100 Ararat Dr. KC MO 64129. Don was born December 12, 1930 in Kansas City, MO to C. Lynn Milstead and Ruby Frances Welsh. Don was a consulting engineer. Before he retired he was a partner and vice-president of Crowley, Wade, Milstead, Co. Inc. in Independence, an engineering and architectural firm. He was a partner in 291 Developers. He was a 50 year member of the Independence Masonic Lodge #76 AF&AM, a member of Scottish Rite, Ararat Shrine and the Royal Order of Jesters Court 54. He was past director of the Royal Order of Jesters, a past president of the Independence Kiwanis Club and Independence Jaycees. In 1965 he received the Independence Jaycees� Distinguished Service Award and was chosen as one of the Missouri Jaycees� Outstanding Young Men of America. He was a founding member of the Queen City Baseball League and served as treasurer. Don had a wide range of interests. He enjoyed fishing, hunting, playing golf, boating, water skiing, snow skiing, astronomy, bee keeping, gardening, cooking, and singing. He was very social and enjoyed his family, friends and total strangers. Don was preceded in death by his parents, and a brother, Dale Eugene Milstead. He is survived by his wife, Donna Milstead; daughters, Melinda Stillman of Springfield, MO, Diana Rahm and husband Charlie of Columbia, MO, Denise Milstead and husband, Nathan York of Liberty, MO; grandchildren, Chrissy and Holly Stillman, Erich and Monika Rahm, Erin and Bryan Prout; his companion, Marsha Biondo; uncles, Wayne Welsh of Independence, MO, Jay Welsh and wife Juanita of Bethany, MO; aunt, Nadine Forrest of Overland Park, KS; and thirteen first cousins.