Donald Stoten Jr., 97, a lifelong Rush County resident, passed away May 24, in Morristown, Ind. Donald was born in Rush County March 23, 1927, to the late Donald Sr. and Mildred (Herkless) Stoten.

Donald was a 1945 graduate of Carthage High School. He farmed for two years and then attended Purdue University, receiving his bachelor’s in agriculture in 1951. While at Purdue, Donald was on the Purdue Judging team, an employee at the Purdue radio station reporting the farm markets and a member of Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity. He served his country in the U.S. Army as a First lieutenant.

Don married Sharon (Dickerhoff) on Oct. 7, 1961, and she survives. Donald met Sharon at the Chicago International Livestock Exposition. After that meeting, he sold cattle to Sharon for her livestock showing career and that led to their marriage.

Don was a member of the American Angus Associations as a registered Angus cattle breeder. He owned Golden Dawn Farms, which was established in 1938. The farm was awarded many international and state awards with their Angus cattle, Percheron horses and exhibiting grain. He was very active in 4-H all his life and served as a long-time Rush County 4-H tractor maintenance leader and 4-H beef judge at several county fairs. He was also a member of Center Christian Church since 1961, serving as a deacon.

In addition to his wife, Sharon, he is survived by his sons, Robert Stoten and Brent Stoten, of Carthage; daughters, Betsy (Jeff) Kachmar, of Fort Wayne, and Dawn Robinson, of Rushville. He will also be missed by his six grandchildren, Daniel Stoten, Jessica Stoten, Jeremy Stoten, Monica Robinson, Lillian Robinson and Reagan Robinson, and two great-grandchildren.

Don was preceded in death by his parents.

Services were May 31, at Center Christian Church with Pastor Darryl Denney presiding. Burial was in Glen Cove Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Center Christian Church or Rush County 4-H Council in memory of Donald.