Obituary of Jr. Sleeper

Donald Edward Sleeper, 76, of Doniphan, Missouri, died Saturday evening, February 23, 2013, at his residence in rural Doniphan. Mr. Sleeper, son of Don and Leola (Shannon) Sleeper, was born May 1, 1936, in Clinton, Iowa. He had retired as a cable splicer with the Alltel Telephone Company. Mr. Sleeper grew up in Clinton and later moved to Minnesota where he raised eight children. He later raised three more children in Doniphan. Don was a U. S. Marine and served his country during the Korean Conflict. He loved riding his motorcycle, woodworking and being outdoors. Mr. Sleeper was an avid antiques collector. While working for the telephone company in Doniphan, Missouri, he met his future wife, Brenda (Dalton) Reddin. They were married on November 6, 1976, at Doniphan and she survives. Also surviving are his mother, Leola Sleeper; eleven children, Debbie Sleeper, Shari Larson, Michele Norman, Dan Sleeper, Kristina Sleeper-Larson, Mary Anna Bachman, Denise Sleeper, Diana Norman, Cynthia Reddin, Julie Reddin and Stacey Reddin; 29 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren (with 4 more on the way), 5 nieces, Renee Forbes, Jody Duncan, Kim Sams, Christi Gardale and Jaime Rogers; and one sister-in-law, Nancy Rogers. He was preceded in death by his father, one brother, Gary and an infant daughter, Margaret. Visitation will be Thursday evening, February 28, 2013, from 5 - 8 p.m. at the Edwards Funeral Home in Doniphan. The funeral service will start at 10:00 a.m. Friday morning, March 1, 2013, in the funeral home chapel with Brother Kent Wilfong officiating. Burial will follow in the Hunt-White Memorial Gardens.