STERLING – Donnell Axtell, 88, died Oct. 23, 2005, at Sterling Presbyterian Manor.

He was born Sept. 7, 1917, in Sterling, the son of Burton F. and Ava Bancroft Axtell. He graduated in 1935, from Sterling High School. A longtime Sterling resident, he was a retired dairy farmer.

He belonged to Sterling United Presbyterian Church, Sterling Lions Club, serving as past president, and past district governor of the Kansas Lions District 17NE.

On Oct. 14, 1938, he married Lenore Hurr in Sterling. She died Nov. 22, 2001.

Survivors include two sons, Harvey and Harold, both of Sterling; a stepbrother, Ed Meyers, Sylvia; two stepsisters, Virginia Beard, Minneola, and Evelyn Hildebrand, Fowler; five grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by three half-brothers; and a half-sister.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Wednesday at Sterling United Presbyterian Church, with the Rev. William C. McConnelee presiding. Friends may sign the register from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Burial will be in Sterling City Cemetery.

Memorials may be sent to Sterling United Presbyterian Church or the Kansas Lions Sight Foundation, both in care of the funeral home.