Donald R. Sears

Donald R. Sears

Feb. 7, 1947 – June 8, 2018

Donald Ray Sears (Lonnie Ray) was born Feb. 7, 1947, in Somerset, Kentucky, to Benjamin Elbert Sears and Dorothy Evelyn Calhoun and passed away June 8, 2018, in Lincoln at the age of 71 years, 4 months and 1 day.

Donald graduated from Oneida High School in Oneida, Tennessee, with the class of 1965. Donald was known to his fellow classmates and friends as Lonnie Ray. Lonnie’s senior year of high school consisted of managing the basketball team and singing some tunes in chorus along with his daily studies. His close friend, Jerry Lewis, said the basketball team called Lonnie ‘Arch’ because he would shoot the ball so high. Patricia Creekmore Foster was in chorus with Lonnie and recalls him having a good voice when he sang. Lonnie would bring his guitar to school and when he had a break from his classes he would go to the big oak tree to play his guitar and sing some Elvis Presley tunes while everyone gathered around.

A year after graduation, Donald enlisted into the United States Army, where he served almost three years from July 11, 1966, until July 5, 1969. When he was discharged, Donald headed home to his mother. At that time they were living in Utica.

One spring day Donald laid eyes on his future wife, Donna Jean Fritz, while she was pitching in a softball game. Donald and Donna were united in marriage on May 2, 1970, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church near Staplehurst. To this union three daughters were born, followed by four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Donald was employed at AGP as a scale operator in Hastings until his retirement in 2013.

 Throughout Don’s life he believed in God, the Father, and His Son, Jesus Christ, and continued a daily walk with his Lord until his death.

Donald was preceded in death by his wife, Donna Sears; father, Benjamin Sears; sister, Carolyn (Wegner) Shuck; niece, Pamela Davis; aunt, Geneva Somers; father-in-law, Ernest Fritz; sister-in-law, Margaret Colley; and brother-in-law, William (Bill) Fritz.

He is survived by his mother, Dorothy Rohren of Florida; mother-in-law, Dorothea (Barghahn) Fritz of Seward; three daughters and their spouses, Shawn and husband Arron Judy, Cynthia Sears and her dog Snickers and April and husband Erik Cramer, all of Lincoln; grandchildren, Zach Fergus of Greenwood, Samantha Fergus of Auburn and Cole Cramer of Lincoln; great-grandchildren, Riley Ray Sears of Auburn and Abbygael Renae Fergus of Greenwood; siblings, Gary and wife Beth Nunn of Alabama, Greg and wife Janice Wegner of Florida and Tom and wife Suni Wegner of Florida; brother-in-law, Rick Shuck of Texas; sisters-in-law, Roz Fritz and Sandra and husband Dennis Patchin, all of Nebraska; brothers-in-law, Gale and wife Rose Fritz of Oklahoma, Roger Fritz of Nebraska and Dean and wife Bonnie Fritz of Nebraska; special friends, Jerry Lewis and Patricia Creekmore Foster, both of Oneida, Tennessee; and many nieces, nephews, cousins and a host of friends.

Visitation will be from 1 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018, with the family greeting friends from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Zabka Funeral Home in Seward. A graveside service and interment will be at 11 a.m. on Friday, June 15, at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church Cemetery in Staplehurst. Condolences may be sent to the family at www.zabkafuneralhome.com.