Don Leslie Painter of Boonville passed away due to cancer Saturday, July 19, 2008 at the University Hospital in Columbia, Mo.

Funeral services will be held at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 24, 2008 at William Wood Funeral Chapel in Boonville with Pastor Bob Bohnenstiehl officiating. Visitation will be Wednesday from 6-9 p.m. July 23, 2008 at William Wood Funeral Home with a Masonic Service at 8:30 p.m. Interment will be in the Walnut Grove Cemetery following the funeral services with full military honors.

Don was born at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Boonville on Nov. 13, 1944, the son of Edgar L. “Red” Painter and A. Ruth Lamm, both of whom preceded him in death.

Don graduated from Boonville High School and then graduated from Central Methodist University. During the Vietnam conflict, Don served in the United States Air Force attaining the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was a 33 year employee of Missouri Power & Light Company, which became Union Electric and now known as Ameren UE as a Store Keeper. Don started his career Mexico, Mo., then Excelsior Springs, Mo. and later in Kirksville, Mo.

Don was a member of the First Baptist Church, Cooper Lodge No. 36 and the VFW Post 4072 American Legion all of Boonville and the Ararat Shrine of Kansas City.

Mr. Painter was also preceded in death by one great-niece, Alssya Miller, and three uncles: George “Buddy” Lamm and Robert L. and William E. Painter.

Mr. Painter is survived by one sister, Pat Todd, and husband Bob, of Piedmont, Mo.; two brothers: Jim Painter, and wife Nan, both of Boonville, and Jon Painter of Hannibal, Mo.; three aunts: Marie Fortman of Pilot Grove, Mo., Jo Painter-Horner, Blue Springs, Mo. and Alice Painter of Boonville; one great-aunt, Margaret Renfrow of Boonville; eight nieces and nephews; numerous great- nieces and nephews; and two great-great-nephews and many cousins.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Alyssa Bailey Miller Memorial Fund or Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of America, Cooper Lodge #36 AF & AM or the American Cancer Society c/o William Wood Funeral Home; 5617 Fourth Street; Boonville, Mo. 65233.

Online condolences may be left at www.thacherwood.com.