After 95 ½ amazing years on this earth, Donald E. Chasteen left us before dawn February 26 to join the love of his life, Twajana Chasteen, and his Heavenly Father. Although he helped us cheer the Kansas City Chiefs to a Super Bowl victory just two weeks earlier, Don could not win his brief battle against pneumonia.

The second of five children of Elvis and Bertha Chasteen, Don grew up on the family farm in Mountain Grove, Mo. After graduating from MGHS, he served in the U.S. Army for two years. Don was stationed at Walter Reed General Hospital in the District of Columbia. Following his service, Don moved back to Mountain Grove, where he met Twajana -- the pretty, new girl in town – at the corner drugstore. They wed in 1949 and were blessed with almost 70 years of marriage.

Don worked at the Kraft Foods plant in Mountain Grove for several years before transferring to Springfield, Mo. to help start the new Kraft plant. He served on the management team at Kraft for 38 years. The employees who reported to him were family. During recent years Don cherished his Tuesday morning breakfasts with retired Kraft buddies Paul Holland, Chester McArthur, Ron Treadway, and the late Joe Byrnes.

A member of National Avenue Christian Church for almost 70 years, Don was an honorary deacon and long-time volunteer at Crosslines. He loved his church and seldom missed a worship service. His faith was strong.

During retirement he and Twajana, a former realtor, split their time between their Springfield residence and their lake home on Indian Point, where they enjoyed boating and weekends with their kids and grandkids Casey and Chris. An avid golfer, Don taught his son Steve how to golf at age 8. Don and Twajana played in area golf tournaments and traveled to watch their favorite pros in PGA tourneys. During basketball season they would pile into the van with Harold and Malese Mayo to follow the Missouri State Lady Bears on the road.

In recent years Don attended Bears football and Lady Bears basketball games with his daughter Tina Stillwell. He was a St. Louis Cardinals fan. Don liked listening to country music, watching old Westerns, and eating at Mexican Villa. A "yard guy," he mowed the lawn and trimmed the shrubs throughout his life. His yard was filled with bird houses, and his birds were well fed.

Don is survived by his daughter Tina Stillwell (Mark), son Steve Chasteen (Sonja), granddaughter Casey Chasteen, grandson Christopher Chasteen, and grand-dog Black Magic, all of Springfield; his sister Sue Leighton and sister-in-law Gloriabell Chasteen, both of Mountain Grove; along with several nieces, nephews, and special friends. His sister Maxine Anderson, brothers Ray Chasteen and Bob Chasteen, brother-in-law Noble Leighton, and sister-in-law Mavis Chasteen pre-deceased him, along with his parents.

A celebration of Don's life will be held at 2:00 p.m. Monday, March 6, at National Avenue Christian Church, 1515 S. National, Springfield, Mo. The family will receive friends at the church from 1:00 p.m. until the service begins. Burial with military honors will follow at Hazelwood Cemetery. The body has been entrusted to Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to National Avenue Christian Church or Council of Churches' Crosslines.

The Funeral Service will be live streamed and can be viewed here .