Donald Franklin “Don” Mallory, 92, of Mullen died Thursday, July 18, 2013 at Pioneer Memorial Rest Home. Donald Franklin Mallory was born to John and Fay (Patterson) Mallory on January 12, 1921. Don graduated from Thedford High School with the class of 1939. In 1944 he joined the Air Force and flew 55 missions in the European Theater of Operations during WWII as a gunner.
After returning to the States in 1945, Don married Mariola Stokes of Timmonsville S.C. on January 27, 1945 in Florence, S.C. He attended the University of Nebraska for one year then transferred to the University of S.C. where he received a B.S. degree (Magna Cum Laude) in Mechanical Engineering in 1950. Upon graduation he returned to the Sandhills to work with his father John in the gravel business. In 1961 John retired and Don took over the business. Don operated the business until 1991 at the age of 71. His beloved Mariola passed away on February 19, 2011. Don was an active member of the Mullen United Methodist Church., American Legion Post #109 and VFW #5541. Don is survived by three children Gail (Rod) Steinacher ,grandchild Ashley (Tom )Burt , great grandchildren Maddie and Henry, grandchild Lindsay (Michael) Masteller, great grandchildren Emmit and Leo; Alan (Diane) Mallory, grandchild Sarah ( Sean) Riley, great grandchildren Mary and Rebekah; Jan (Dan) Taaffe, grandchildren Mallory and Cameron; a sister Betty Meisinger, a brother Stan (Jerre) Mallory and many nephews and nieces.
Don is preceded in death by his parents, wife, sister Twyla (Walt) Canaday and brother-in-law Don Meisinger. Services will be held Tuesday, July 23, 2013 at 11:00 AM MDT at United Methodist Church in Mullen. Visitation will be held Monday, July 22, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM MDT at the Mullen Funeral Home. The family will greet the public from 6:00 PM to 8 PM MDT. Interment will be at 2:00 PM MDT at Hillcrest Cemetery at Thedford, NE with Military Honors. Memorial to United Methodist Church, Pioneer Memorial Rest Home or Hillcrest Cemetery. Mullen Funeral Home in charge of arrangements. 308-546-2260