Donald Paul Reeves, 86, died Tuesday, January 27, 2015, at his home in Van Buren, Arkansas, following care given by Mercy Hospice and family. He was a veteran of WWII and served in Korea during 1947.
He’s preceded in death by his parents, Donald and Gladys (Teal) Reeves, an older brother who died at birth, his wife, JoAn Reeves, his oldest son, David Reeves, and grandson, Matthew Eckles. He’s survived by two sisters; Frances Miller and Martha Martinson, both of Des Moines, Iowa; his son, Daniel Reeves (Joy) of Slater, Iowa; and son, Domin Reeves (Debbie) of Van Buren, Arkansas. He has 10 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren.
Donald (Don) Paul Reeves was born April 29, 1928, in Mount Etna, Iowa, to Donald and Gladys Reeves. Don grew up in Guthrie Center, Iowa, during the depression before moving to Des Moines in 1943. He graduated from North High in 1946, joined the Army, and served a year in Korea.
Don held various jobs from 1948 to 1952 before choosing a career as a baker. He then spent 20 years at Hiland Pastry Shop before moving to Arkansas in 1973 to open P&R Sweet Shop with his family in Fort Smith. In 1984, Don and family retired from the bakery business, spent a couple years traveling, then started making wood crafts, spending the next 17 years selling his wares at craft shows. Don enjoyed building things and over the years built a camper, dune-buggy, camping gear, a 3000 sq. ft. house with various out buildings, along with furniture and lots of toy guns, swords and wooden toys for his grand-children.
In 2003 Don and JoAn celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with a trip to Hawaii and at 75 years old officially retired. Don enjoyed traveling, sailing, vacationing with his family, and spending time with family and friends. Don will be missed by all and forever remembered for his love and hospitality at the “top of the hill”.
Visitation with family will be on Friday, January 30, 2015 from 5-7 PM at Ocker Funeral Home; 700 Jefferson St., Van Buren, Arkansas.
The funeral will be at 2 PM Saturday, January 31, 2015 at Ocker Memorial Chapel in Van Buren with burial at Gracelawn Cemetery in Van Buren under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home in Van Buren.
Pallbearers will be Nathan, Levi, Joel & Josiah Reeves. Honorary pallbearer will be Matthew Eckles.

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