Donald Sievers

Donald Ray Sievers, 80, of Jackson passed away Wednesday, Sept. 8, 2021, at his home after a battle with melanoma cancer.

He was born Aug. 19, 1941, in Cape Girardeau, the son of Elmer L. and Anita Maevers Sievers. He and Anita Godwin were married Feb. 27, 1960, at First Baptist Church in Jackson.

Don was a lifelong member of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson, where he was baptized and confirmed. Over the years, he served as an usher, elder, school board member, president of the school board and chairman of the congregation several times.

He was an active member of St. Paul Men's Club and was instrumental in organizing the annual sausage dinner each March. He also hosted the annual club picnic at his farm.

Don was a 1959 graduate of Jackson High School and later earned a degree in special studies from Columbia College in Columbia, Missouri. He enlisted in the Missouri Army National Guard in 1959 and retired in 1989 as a colonel after 30 years of service.

In 1960, Don began working in the sheet metal industry and eventually became a journeyman. In 1976, he ventured out on his own and formed Associated Sheet Metal Inc. He retired from the business in 2003 and turned it over to his sons.

As a Jackson business owner he became active in the Chamber of Commerce and Jackson Industrial Development Co. board. He received the R.A. Fulenwider Meritorious Community Service Award in 2000.

Don joined the Optimist Club of Jackson in 1976. He became very involved on the local level but also at the East Missouri District level. He was the East Missouri District governor in 1993-1994. He then served at the international level as one of 10 vice-presidents from 1999-2000, and in 2008-2009 he was the Optimist International president. He and Anita traveled more than 50,000 miles visiting other clubs.

Don had a passion for antique tractors and farming. In retirement he and his brother, Tim Sievers, farmed his two farms near Tilsit.

Loving survivors include his wife of 61 years, Anita; two sons, Brian K. (Joanna) Sievers and Boyd D. (Leslie) Sievers of Jackson; daughter, Michelle (John) Clippard of Jackson; nine grandchildren, Jake, Luke, Seth, Zane and Amelia Sievers of Jackson, Christian Leimbach of Cape Girardeau, Megan (Aaron) Voshage of Columbia and Claire and Matthew Clippard of Jackson; brother, Timothy (Kathy) Sievers of Jackson; sister, Betty Schuetts of Cape Girardeau; and brother-and-sister-in-law, John and Sharon Godwin of Des Peres, Missouri.

Also surviving are nieces, Dana (Chris) Gier, Paige Wills of Jackson and Lisa (Brian) Robinson of Chesterfield, Missouri; nephews, Travis (Shanna) Sievers of Jackson, Jimmy (Sarah) Sievers of Gordonville, Michael Godwin of St. Louis and Scott (Meghan) Godwin of Webster Groves, Missouri; and many great-nieces and -nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents; an infant granddaughter, Brianna Katlin Sievers; and mother- and father-in-law, Raymond and Louise Kibler Godwin.

Visitation will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 11, at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 1 p.m. to service time Sunday, Sept. 12, at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Jackson.

Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 12, at the church, with the Rev. Joshua Schmidt officiating. Burial, with full military honors, will follow in Russell Heights Cemetery in Jackson.

Serving as pallbearers will be his grandsons.

Memorial contributions may be given in Don's memory to St. Paul Lutheran Church, St. Paul Lutheran School or Saxony Lutheran High School.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on the tributes tab of Don's personal obituary page at www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.