Don Eldon Emley, 91, died peacefully the morning of November 12, 2023 at the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice in Manhattan, Kansas.
Don was born on December 31, 1931 in Mount Ayr, Iowa the second of two children born to Holly and Ella Emley. Don grew up in Clarinda, Iowa graduated from Clarinda High School, and after some college coursework, he joined the Navy. He served from January 1951 to November 1954 as a Metalsmith 3rd Class on the USS Kankakee.
After his service in the Navy Don worked at his father’s auto body shop in Clarinda and during that time he had his eye on a pretty young woman named Sandra. The couple was married on March 18, 1956, at the Yorktown, Iowa United Methodist Church.
Following his passion for mechanical work, Don and Sandra moved to Oklahoma where Don attended the Spartan School of Aeronautics. They lived in Oklahoma City for 11 years while Don worked in the aviation maintenance industry. All four of Don and Sandra’s children were born in Oklahoma. Don then accepted a position at the Manhattan airport as service manager and remained there until his retirement in 1996. During his years there he hired his children to hold various part time jobs and there is more than one entertaining story about the mechanical abilities (or lack thereof) passed down to the kids in varying degrees.
Don lived a life of service. Not only was he a devoted mechanic, making sure planes were ready to go when clients needed them, day or night, holidays and weekends, he served his church as a member of the Board of Trustees, volunteering to repair whatever was needed. He also kept busy repairing the vehicles of 4 teenagers, no small task. All of this was done without complaint and a quiet, steady presence.
A passion of Don’s was antique cars and in 1979 he came home with a 1948 Buick Roadmaster convertible that became his pride and joy. He spent the next several years working to fully restore the car, doing everything from the body work to electrical, mechanical and upholstery work. The car provided Don and Sandra with many enjoyable road trips, car shows, and chauffeuring opportunities. In 2003 Don and his sons and sons-in-law participated in “The Hemmings Motor News Great Race,” a time, speed, and endurance rally for 1974 and older collector vehicles. The car has become a source of great pride for the family and a symbol of Don’s hard work, his attention to detail in everything he did, and his acts of service which was how he showed his deep love for his family.
Don was a member of Valley Car Collectors Club, Buick Club of America, American Legion Post 17 and the K-State Flying Club.
Don was preceded in death, by wife Sandra (Isaacson) Emley, parents Holly and Ella (Doolittle) Emley, and sister Janice Buntz. Survivors include son Mark Emley (Rebecca) of Overland Park, KS; son Scott Emley (DeeAnn) of Manhattan, KS; daughters Terri Emley (Nanette) of Olathe, KS and Julie Swank, Olathe, KS. Grandchildren Michael Emley, Overland Park; Anna (Stuart) Petty, Kansas City, MO; Kailen (Derrek) Jacobsen, Manhattan, KS; Ryan Emley (Amber), Manhattan, KS; Matthew Shrader, Salina KS; Rebecca Swank, Merriam, KS; Rachel Swank, Denver, CO.; and five beloved great grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 2:45 p.m. Thursday, November 30th, in the Connecting Link at First United Methodist Church.
A Celebration of Don’s Life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, November 30th, at the First United Methodist Church, 621 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS, with Reverend Donn Voteau officiating. Private family interment with Navy Honors will be in the Pleasant Valley Cemetery, Riley County, Kansas.
One of Don’s wishes was to have a fun gathering with food and drink, music, and ice cream to celebrate his life. All friends and family are invited to join the celebration at Blue Sage Barn, 1484 Wildcat Creek Road, Manhattan, on Thursday, November 30th, from 4:00 to 6:30 p.m. following the service.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the First United Methodist Church, Good Shepherd Homecare & Hospice or the Midwest Dream Car Collection. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.