Donald “Don” Paul Branine, age 79, of Ogallah, Kansas, passed away Friday, March 15, 2019 at Hays Medical Center, Hays, Kansas.
He was born March 20, 1939, in Wichita, Kansas to Paul D. and Jenny “Marie” (Ludwick) Branine. He was a graduate of Douglass High School class of 1956. On November 10, 1956 Don was united in marriage with Norma Shaver, later divorced, and remained good friends. On July 19, 1984 Don was united in marriage to Carol Hughes.
Don enjoyed cars, racing, the lake, music, and singing karaoke. He worked at the Triangle Restaurant in Douglass, Kansas, Western Lithograph, Wichita, Kansas, and Branine Chevrolet in Mulvane, Kansas before becoming the owner of Don Branine Chevy Olds in Winfield, Kansas in 1970. He relocated to Haysville, Kansas in 1981 to take over Haysville bowl and later West Gate Fun Center. Don then moved to Warsaw, Missouri in 1997 and continued his career as a car dealer and DJ.
He moved to Ogallah, Kansas in 2018. He was a member of Winfield Jaycees Rotary Club, Lions Club, and Chamber of Commerce. He was awarded “Outstanding Young Man of Kansas” in 1974-1975. Don was proud he was able to bring great music to many generations as one of the originators of the Winfield Bluegrass Festival. He had a passion for life, desire to build and give back to the community he resided, and left a lasting impression on those he encountered.
He is survived by brother, Roger Branine; three daughters, Linda Herbers and husband, Chuck of Ogallah, Kansas, Shirley Lundrey and husband Roger of Rose Hill, Kansas, Connie Baer and husband Dave of Andover, Kansas; son, Don Branine and wife, Patty of Osage City, Kansas; two step sons, Danny and Scott Hughes; grandchildren, Chad Herbers and wife, Lindsay, Stacy Logue and husband, Grant, Kelli Herbers-Schmidt and husband, Eric, Kyle Branine, Keisha Branine, Amy Leake, and Dawn Golway; and great-grandchildren, Teagan, Layne, and Taryn Herbers, Alyssa and Kaley Logue, Jace Herbers, Catherine, Evelyn, and Sophia Schmidt, Aliaya Baer, Destiny Thurber, Andrew and Matthew Portnier, Shahasta Lundry, and Jaden, Nyasia, and Tristan Collins. He was preceded in death by wife, Carol; parents, Paul and Marie Branine; brother, Gary Branine; son-in-law, Rick Leake; and grandson, Joshua Branine.
Visitation will be Tuesday evening from 6 PM-8 PM at Schmitt Funeral Home in Wakeeney, Kansas.
Graveside funeral service will be Wednesday March 20, 2019 at 11:30 AM at Mulvane Cemetery, Mulvane, Kansas.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are suggested to Warsaw Senior Center. Donations to the organizations may be sent to Schmitt Funeral Home, 336 North 12th, Wakeeney, KS 67672.
Condolences may be sent online at www.schmittfuneral.com.