Surnames: Jenkins, Merrill, Brunette, Mohr

----Source: Marshfield News Herald (Marshfield, Wood Co., Wis) Sat, Mar 5, 2005

Jenkins, Donald Howard, DVM (23 June 1922 - 3 March 2005)

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NEILLSVILLE -Donald H. Jenkins, DVM, 82, of Neillsville died Thursday, March 3, 2005, at his home. Death was attributed to pancreatic cancer.

Donald Howard Jenkins was born June 23, 1922, at Downers Grove, Ill. Attending the public schools there, he graduated from high school in 1940. Following graduation, he attended Knox College at Galesburg, Ill., before entering the Armed Forces, serving for four years during World War II in the North Atlantic, South Pacific and North Pacific Theaters. After discharge, he returned to Knox, where he completed a degree in economics in 1948.

Don was married to Catherine "Trink" Merrill at Avon, Ill., on June 19, 1948, then moving to Richland, Wash., where he was employed by General Electric Corporation, prime contractor for the Atomic Energy Commission. There, he also owned and operated a beef cattle ranch. Electing for a career change, he subsequently enrolled at Washington State University, where he was awarded a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1958. Following graduation, he returned to Illinois, opening a general practice with offices in North Aurora, Ill. He practiced primarily livestock medicine there until 1969, when he came to Neillsville, as manager and technical director of Wedges Creek Research Farm, a subsidiary of Nalco Chemical Company. He retired from Nalco in 1979 and founded and was president of Bio-Life Associates, Ltd., Neillsville, , a contract toxicology laboratory. He also established a veterinary practice from which he retired in 1997 after 36 years of service to the veterinary community.

Dr. Jenkins was an Eagle Scout, an Honor Roll member of the American Veterinary Medical Association, was elected to Alpha Psi and Phi Zeta veterinary honorarias, a member of Beta Theta Pi, B.P.O. Elks and past president of the Neillsville Rotary Club. He was a member of the Neillsville United Church and active in the Neillsville Country Club. An outdoor enthusiast, he enjoyed game bird hunting, fishing and his bird dogs.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Trink; a daughter, Merrill (Mark) Brunette of Neillsville; a son, David of Ventura, Calif.; and four grandchildren.

A memorial service for Don will be at 2 p.m., Monday, April 4, 2005, at the United Church of Christ in Neillsville. Pastor James Mohr will officiate. Following the memorial service, cremains will be committed to the Pacific Ocean off Point Loma, Calif.

In lieu of flowers, memorials May be given to the United Church of Christ, 515 W. Second St., Neillsville WI 54456 or the Clark County Humane Society, W3926 State Highway 73, Neillsville WI 54456.

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain, I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in morning's hush, I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft star that shines at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there, I did not die.