Donald Wayne Ihrig was born in McPherson, Kansas on October 3, 1931, and passed away in Lockwood, Missouri on April 13, 2023.

Don was a graduate of Everton High School and joined the Navysoon after. He was united in marriage to Wana Lee Phipps on December 25, 1952, in Greenfield, Missouri. Together Don and Wana Lee spent 20 years active duty in the United States Navy. Don retired from the Navy as a Senior Chief (ADCS). He was a proud Navy veteran and was also very proud of his service as a flight engineer. He and Wana Lee enjoyed traveling. His favorite destinations were their trips to Alaska and Canada. He also attended as many Navy reunions as he could.

Upon retiring from the Navy, Don graduated from Drury College (University). Don started his own real estate company, Don Ihrig Co. in Springfield. He spent 33 years as a real estate appraiser and broker. Don was one of the early real estate appraisers in Springfield and the surrounding communities. He grew his business from the ground up and was a mentor to many appraisers who worked for him. He retired from the “bidness” in 2002.

Throughout the years, Don owned many acres of land, in which he used to run cattle. In his later years he enjoyed trading stocks.

As Don knew the end of his life was approaching, his main concern was being reunited with Wana Lee. He believed that she was in heavenand the only way that he would be able to join her there, was for him to accept Jesus as his Lord and Savior. For many years, he had asked believers questions about faith and questions about how he could know that God was real. On March 29, 2023, Don Ihrig surrendered his heart to Jesus and accepted the free gift of grace that Jesus offers to all. He was baptized and will now spend eternity with his bride Wana Lee and his Savior. It’s never too late to come to Jesus. He offers peace, comfort, strength, love, forgiveness and grace. His family is forever grateful.

Don was preceded in death by his wife of 68 years Wana Lee, his parents Ollie and Margaret (Maggie) Ihrig, his sisters Gladys Ihrig, Ferne Mahan, Golda Taylor and Maxine Bryant. Survivors include: Berny Ihrig and wife Debbie, Susan Camille Dodson and husband Dwight, Stephen Ihrig and wife Terry; eight grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren; and a host of family and friends.

Graveside services will be at Sinking Creek Cemetery in Everton, Missouri, on Tuesday, April 18, 2023, at 1:00pm. Funeral have been entrusted to Greenlawn Funeral Home South. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to Sinking Creek Church and Cemetery.