Donald W. Raile

MADISON â€” Donald W. Raile, 78, died at home Monday, Nov. 22, 2010, in Weslaco, Texas.\r\nMemorial service will be at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison at 10:30 a.m. Saturday with inurnment in Crown Hill Cemetery and military rites by American Legion Post 35. Arrangements are by Stonacek Funeral Chapel. The Rev. Cindy Stewart will officiate.\r\nâ€”â€”â€”\r\nHe was born Aug. 10, 1932, at Norfolk to David and Dee (Bryant) Raile. He was baptized and confirmed at Trinity United Methodist Church in Madison. He attended Pierce Public Schools.\r\nDon served in the U.S. Navy with the Seabees as a contractor/electrician. He was stationed at Kwajalein, Philippine Island and Quadulene. While serving in the Navy, he earned his electrical degree and went on to earn his masterâ€™s contractor license as an electrician.\r\nHe married Virginia Wilbanks Dec. 3, 1954, at Dibble, Okla. They lived in Corpus Christi, Texas, until Donald was honorably discharged. After the service, Don lived in Oklahoma and worked at Western Electric until he retired in 1974. At that time, Don and his family moved east of Madison, where they farmed and owned Raileâ€™s Electric. Don and Virginia sold the farm and traveled for several years in their motor coach. They made their final home in Weslaco.\r\nDon enjoyed hunting, fishing, farming and Nebraska football. Don spent his time with grandkids, with friends at the American Legion in Madison and watching his grandson Taylor play baseball. Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends.\r\nHe was a member of Trinity United Methodist, Madison, and member of American Legion, Madison.\r\nSurvivors include wife Virginia Raile; two children, a son, Michael Raile, currently serving in Iraq, and daughter Donna and husband Craig Downs of Madison; four grandchildren, Brittany Raile, Laura Pfeifer, Lance Pfeifer, Taylor Habrock; two stepgrandchildren, Vanessa and Brooke Downs; two great-grandchildren, Romeo Wright, Carmen Payne; three siblings, â€œAlâ€ David and wife Mert Raile of Grand Island, Jeanne and husband Sid Nelson of Pierce and Vicky Thomas of Oklahoma City.\r\nHe was preceded in death by parents; stepmother and son Robert Raile; two infant brothers, Jimmy and Kenneth; two sisters, infant Beverly Ann and Kathryn French; a niece, Jacqueline Houska.\r\nCongregational hymns will be â€œHow Great Thou Artâ€ and â€œAmazing Grace.â€\r\n\r\n

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Donald W. Raile

November 22, 2010