Donald C. Conrad

Donald C. Conrad, age 84, of Washington, passed away Wednesday, December 19, 2018, at his home. Donald was born on February 8, 1934, in Washington to the late Clarence and May (nee Kaiser) Conrad and married his high school sweetheart, Constance J. “Connie” Marchbank, on August 31, 1957, at the Presbyterian Church in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Together they made their home in Washington on his family’s 1830’s farmstead with their three children, Kyle, Janet, and Alisa. Don’s faith was very important to him early and remained so throughout his life; he joined the Presbyterian Church of Washington at the age of 16 and was the youngest elder the Church has ever had. He served in the United States Army from 1955-1957.  Don was initiated into the Washington Elks Lodge 1559 on March 29, 1955. He remained an active member of the Elks until recent years when his health began to fail. He served as Lodge Exalted Ruler from 1965-1966, State President of the Missouri Elks Association from 1972-1973, Grand Lodge District Deputy and Honorary Lifetime member in 1977, and Officer of the Year in 1998. In 1962, he became the Lodge’s coach of their competitive ritual team and led them to numerous national championships. Don was a co-founder of Sheltered Workshop, Inc. (now EMPAC Group) in 1967, and served as an original and current board member. The non-profit was founded to provide employment and training for adults with developmental, mental and physical challenges in Franklin county.  This organization has made a positive impact on the lives of many people and continues to do so.

A Funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Thursday, December 27, 2018, at the Presbyterian Church in Washington.  Interment will follow in the Church cemetery. A visitation will be held from 3:00 to 8:00 pm on Wednesday, December 26, 2018, at Miller Funeral Home. Memorial donations are appreciated to the Presbyterian Church of Washington, EMPAC Group (formerly Sheltered Workshop, Inc.), or the Donald C. Conrad Special Needs Scholarship.

He is survived by his wife Connie Conrad; three children, Kyle Conrad and wife Susan of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Janet Henderson and husband Paul, and Alisa Conrad, all of Washington; five grandchildren, Emily and Katie Conrad, Paul Henderson and fiancée Kerri, Phillip Henderson and wife Anne, and Steven Henderson and wife Megan; two great grandchildren, Emmalyne and Barrett Henderson; brother-in-law, Robert F. Marchbank and wife DeeAnne of Tulsa, Oklahoma; niece, Lorianne Sample and husband Richie; nephew, Robert S. Marchbank; other relatives and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one great grandson, Maxwell Henderson.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald C. Conrad, please visit our floral store.