Don Gray, age 76, of New Hartford passed away Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at the University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia.  Funeral services will be held 10:00 a.m. Saturday, February 7, 2009 at the Mudd-Veach Funeral Home in Bowling Green with Rev. Gary Green and Rev. Mike Haldeman officiating.  Burial will be in the Smyrna Cemetery near New Hartford with military honors conducted by VFW Post #5553.  Visitation for Mr. Gray will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

He was born May 30, 1932 in Pleasant Hill, IL., the son of Walter and Pearlie Windmiller Gray.  On February 16, 1955 in Pittsfield, IL., he married Maxine Trower.  She survives.  Also surviving are one daughter, Sandra Lesh, and husband Richard of St. Peters; one daughter-in- law Helen Gray of New Hartford; eight grandchildren Ryan Gray, Brandon Gray and wife Amy, Chad Gray; Eric Lesh, Kelsey Gray, Trevor Gray, Erin Lesh and Emily Lesh and two sisters Deama Edwards and husband Richard of New Hartford and Irma McKinnon of Pleasant Hill, IL. Preceding him in death was one son Roger Gray on October 16, 2008, one brother William Gray and one sister Eva Crowder.

Don had lived in the New Hartford area all of his married life where he was a grain and livestock farmer.  He was in the U. S. Navy during the Korean War.  He was a member of Morning Star Fellowship in Bowling Green and was a member of the American Legion Post #370.  He enjoyed sports, pheasant hunting, fishing and the outdoors but especially spending time with his grandchildren.

Serving as pallbearers will be Ryan Gray, Brandon Gray, Chad Gray, Eric Lesh, Dave Murry and Ron Dugan.  Honorary pallbearers will be Richard Edwards, Argil Ellison, Ted Heffner, Ron Kagy and Kenneth (Butch) Myers.

Memorials may be made to the Smyrna Cemetery.