Donald J. Thiel, 95, of rural Malta Bend, MO, died Wednesday, August 5, 2026.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2026, at St. Peter Catholic Church with Fr. Jacob Hartman officiating. Burial will follow in Union Cemetery near Malta Bend. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Monday at the church. In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to St. Peter Catholic Church or the Knights of Columbus Building Fund in care of Campbell-Lewis Funeral Home. An online guestbook is available at www.campbell-lewis.com
Born September 18, 1930, in Norborne, MO, he was the son of the late Leo Thiel and Katherine Pfister Thiel. He lived in the rural Malta Bend area most of his life and was a 1948 graduate of Malta Bend High School. On April 7, 1951, he married Barbara E. Gauldin, who preceded him in death on September 15, 2021, and they were blessed with 70 years of marriage. Don was a lifelong farmer. He was a member of St. Peter Catholic Church, and as a 77-year member of the Knights of Columbus, he was the oldest living member and a 3rd Degree Knight. While farming took the majority of his time, he was still able to serve on the Central Rural Electric Board for 27 years and 14 years of those were served as president. Following retirement he continued to enjoy the outdoors by fishing and hunting.
Survivors include four children: Kathy Gauldin of Overland Park, KS; Jo Wilhite (Mike) of Overland Park, KS, Billy Thiel of Marshall and Donnie Thiel (Martene) of rural Marshall; 13 grandchildren: Karey Welch, Matt Gauldin (Erin), Robert Gauldin (Nate), Chris Wilhite (Dana), Lori Albert (Kevin), Stephanie Macleod (Darrin), Jennifer Brown (Bob), Michelle Wilhite (Mitch), Lauren Payne (Nick), Joe Thiel (Tonya), Scott Thiel (Courtney), Rhett Davis (Renea), Rosalind Knehans (Cole); 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; one brother, John Thiel (Catherine); as well as many nieces, nephews, and other extended family.
In addition to his parents and wife, Don was preceded in death by one sister, Loretta Schieszer; and three brothers: Leo, George, and Louis Thiel.
Source: KMZU, The Farm
