Donald E. Pruitt (1942-2018)

Donald E. Pruitt, 75, passed away Friday, Feb. 2, 2018 in Ellsworth. He was born Aug. 16, 1942 in Lyons to Ray and Zona Gail (Stahlman) Pruitt.

Don was a longtime resident of Geneseo where he was the Mayor from 1983 to 2001. He was an oil well pumper for 35 years. He also worked as a machinist at Lyons Mfg. Co. and erected grain elevators for Chalmers & Borton.

Don served his country in the U.S. Army from 1964-1966 and was a member of the Geneseo American Legion Post 241 and Ellsworth VFW Post 6485. He taught hunter’s safety for 25 years and attended the Geneseo United Methodist Church. He was an avid gardener, fisherman, and hunter. He also enjoyed family vacations and entertaining his grandkids. Don married Lois L. Kratzer in Frederick on Sept. 21, 1968. She preceded him in death.

Don is survived by his daughter, Kendra Ploutz (Shawn) of Kanopolis; son, Brian Pruitt (Deanna) of Ellsworth; grandchildren, Jordann McGinnis (Will), Blake Ploutz, and Riann and Brenna Pruitt; great-granddaughter, Shiloh McGinnis; sister, Wanda Walsh of Hutchinson; brothers, Mel Pruitt of Cleveland, Tenn. and Wayne Pruitt of Lyons; and sister, Virginia “Sue” Lamb (Chuck) of Hutchinson. He was preceded in death by his wife, Lois; daughter, Dawn Pruitt; and grandson, Dalton Ploutz.

Visitation is from 1-8 p.m., Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth with family present from 5-7 p.m.

Funeral service is at 10 a.m., Wednesday, Feb. 7, at Geneseo United Methodist Church with burial following in the Geneseo Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Smoky Hills Charitable Foundation (Dawn L. Pruitt Scholarship Fund), Ellsworth Pheasants Forever, or Geneseo Cemetery, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, PO Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.

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