Donald Wayne "Don" Bales (73) of Brownsdale Community, FL, formerly of Shumway

Donald Wayne "Don" Bales, 73, of Brownsdale Community, Florida died Monday, July 18, 2016. Don was born and raised in Shumway and attended high school at Beecher City.

Funeral services will be held at 9:30am Friday, July 22 at Trahan Family Funeral Home in Milton, Florida with Brother Larry Pearson officiating. Visitation will be from 6 to 8pm Thursday. Burial will follow at Barrancus National Cemetery. Memorials to New Bethel Baptist Church Pew Restoration Fund.

He entered the US Navy on June 6, 1960 and retired on September 1, 1981. In that timeframe, he was stationed at NAS Whiting Field, NAS Gitmo Cuba, Fourth Naval District Headquarters in Philadelphia, PA, USS Kretchmer (DER 329), Construction Battalion CBU 201 in Davisville, Rhode Island, and NAS Key West, Florida. He made 1-1/2 trips around the world from top to bottom and obtained the rank of Chief Legalman (CPO USN RETIRED). He had resided in Florida since 1981. He was a longtime employee of McKenzie Motors of Milton and was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife of 27 years, Pat...his children, Karen Redmond and husband Doug, Bryan Bales, Debbie Bales, Susan Pate and husband Mitch, Roy "Bo" Allen, and Nancy LaKaye Allen...several grandchildren and great-grandchildren...brothers and sister, Larry Bales and wife Sondra, Chuck Bales and wife Doris, and Betty Foster...and best friend, Charlie Tyner.

He was preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, and one sister.