Donald Henry Schibel

Passed away September 11, 2023 in Ritzville, WA. Don was born on August 14, 1929 in Irby, WA to Henry and Katie Schibel. Don was a graduate of Odessa High School class of 1947 and from WSC (WSU) in 1951 with a BA in Business Administration. He served his county from 1951-1953 as a 2nd Lieutenant in the USAF in the Korean Conflict. He married Lorene Cherry on November 11, 1951 in Pullman, WA. Don and Lorene came back to the family farm in 1954. This was not his first passion as he wanted to fly planes in the USAF, but he was color blind so he couldn’t. Farming was not easy back then but he had a good crop in 1959 & 1961 when Jeff and Sherene sprouted.

Don entered the irrigation era in 1965 and 1971 with 2 wells. Diversification was the tune with different crops. A lot of time and labor came with this which met a strain on the hunting and fishing side of the equation. The family would make a few trips to Westport and Dad would go to the Campbell River with the boys. Don was a farmer that would tinker on equipment to make it better. The one word that sticks out for Don and anything he did was meticulous. The 1980’s saw Don slowly backing away from the farm when Jeff can back.

The 1990’s Don and Lorene move to Odessa and Jeff and Cheryl moved to the farm. Don would still come out to get his fix driving the combine or tractor. 2015 saw Don move into assisted living and then in 2020 went into LTC. Don enjoyed water dowsing, from brass rods to his fishing pole he could find it, was he challenged yes. But finding waterlines, to domestic or irrigation wells, he enjoyed it. At the end he was not comfortable dowsing irrigation wells because of the price of drilling one. Don’s love and passion in life was his family, his wife Lorene of 67 yrs. of marriage, watching his kids and grandkids succeed in life put a smile on his face and let’s not forget about his Cougs.

He was a member of the Odessa Lions Club, Heritage Church, VFW, WAWG, Phi Kappa Tau Fraternity, and WSUAA. He was honored and privileged to represent people on various boards: Odessa Grange Supply, Wheatland Bank, Lincoln Co. Fire Dist. #3 commissioner and Lincoln County Commissioner District 1. He was manager in 1951 for the WSC/WSU baseball team, He was Conservation Farmer of the Year in 1971 for the Odessa Soil and Water Conservation District.

Don is survived by his two children Jeff (Cheryl) Schibel and Sherene (Bob) Martin his four grandchildren Nicole (Wes) Parker, Lindsey (Stephen) Heath, Braidy (Amy) Haden, Jamie (Ryne) Kiter along with his 10 great grandchildren Eddie, Jayden, Emelea, Eloise, Tate, Macy, Landon, Callen, Lilly and Mason. Don is preceded in death by his wife Lorene and his parents Henry and Katie Schibel, three sisters Lucille Underwood, Lillian Derr and Dorothy Gallaway.

Funeral services will be held on Friday September 22, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Heritage Church, Odessa, WA with Pastor Josh McLachlan, officiating. A Military graveside will follow at the Odessa Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Odessa Historical Society/ Museum, c/o Judy Scrupps, 2941 King Ranch Rd N Odessa, Washington 99159. Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.strate-funeral.com for the Schibel family. STRATE FUNERAL HME, DAVENPORT, WA is caring for the family.