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Donald Dale Acklin

Funeral services for Donald Dale Acklin, 87, West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 1:00 p.m., Saturday, August 18, 2018 at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

 

Mr. Acklin passed away at 8:26 a.m., Wednesday, August 15, 2018 at Cox Medical Center South, Springfield, Missouri.

 

He was born February 18, 1931, at West Plains, Missouri, to Robert Fulton Acklin and Oma Coble Acklin.  On May 9, 1950, he was married at Salem, Arkansas, to Alice Alzira Brotherton, who preceded him in death January 2, 1987.  In 1995, he was married to Georgia E. Whitsell Kickel, who preceded him in death on August 10, 2018.  Mr. Acklin was a veteran; he was drafted in 1955 and served with the United States Army during the Korean Conflict.  He worked at West Plains Coca-Cola Bottling Company for thirty-three years, having retired as fleet manager.  Mr. Acklin was a member of a group that originated the Emergency Response System in South Central Missouri and North Central Arkansas, was a member of Weather Watchers in South Central Missouri and North Central Arkansas and was a member of the Sheriff Reserve for a number of years.  Don also delivered the Springfield News-Leader for thirty-one years in Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas and also worked at Wal-Mart for many years; his favorite position was being Santa Clause for the children.  Most of all he loved people and his family remembers that there was never a closed door; it was open to friends and strangers alike.  Mr. Acklin loved his family and went to the river every weekend with them.

 

He is survived by six children, Donnie Acklin and wife, Lynda, Terry Acklin and wife, Diana, Larry Acklin and wife, Karen, Craig Acklin, Pam Freeman and husband, Ted and Ann Acklin and significant other, Kerry Vehawn; several grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; two brothers, Robert Acklin and Ronald Acklin and wife, Marsha; one sister, Helen Stanley and husband, Dick; and several nieces and nephews.

 

His parents, step-mother, Marie Acklin, wives, one son, Mike Acklin, one brother, Danny Acklin and two sisters, Judy Acklin and June Johnston, preceded him in death.

 

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Friday, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Dripping Springs Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to Providence Baptist Church or the Family and may be left at Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Online condolences may be expressed at www.robertsondrago.com.