Dona Bell West

West, Dona B., 76, died January 1, 2005 at Larksfield Place Retirement Community in Wichita, KS. She was born Dona Bell Isbell on Dec. 2, 1928, the youngest child of Everett Clifford Isbell and Gertrude Mae Siebenthaler Isbell in Enid, OK. Following graduation from Enid High School in 1946, Dona moved to Wichita to attend Wichita University. While attending college, she also worked at the old University Airport, where she met Robert Wesley Webber. They married in 1947 and made their home in Wichita, where they raised their two children. During that time, Dona worked for the Moberly, West and Jennings CPA firm, starting as a secretary and advancing to office manager. Divorced in 1968, she moved to Boulder, CO, where she and a sister established radio station KADE. While living there, she also attended the University of Colorado. In 1970, Dona returned to Wichita and married Ivan McCullough West on Oct. 2, of that year. They made their home there, and she worked with her husband in an investment business. Together, they traveled extensively, visiting Jamaica, Panama, Greece, Russia, Scotland, England and a number of other countries. They enjoyed socializing with a wide circle of friends until health problems began to limit Donas activities. Eventually, that circle narrowed to family members and a few very close friends. Dona is survived by her husband, Ivan of Wichita; son and daughter-in-law, Mark and Frances Webber of San Angelo, TX; daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Everett Hixson of Fort Scott; close friend and caregiver, Gail Peterson of Wichita; step-sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Judy West of Wichita and Jack and Diane West of Dallas, TX; step-daughter, Sara Bond and step-son, Tom West, both of Wichita; sister and brother-in-law, Barbara and Lee Ives of Rogers, AR; brother and sister-in-law, Clifford and Billye Isbell of Santa Monica, CA; sister-in-law, Kathleen Pipes of Wichita; 3 grandchildren; 15 step-grandchildren; 21 step-great-grandchildren. Preceding her in death were her parents, sister and business partner, Enid Pepperd and step-daughter, Rebecca West Norris. The Reverend Gary Cox will conduct funeral services at 2:30 p.m., Wednesday at the University Congregational Church, 9209 E. 29th St. N., Wichita. Graveside services will take place at 1:00 p.m., Thursday at Memorial Park Cemetery, 8251 Hillcrest Road, Kansas City, MO. Honorary pallbearers will include son, Mark Webber; step-son, Richard West; son-in-law, Everett Hixson; granddaughter, Maria Hixson of Lawrence; grandsons, Donovan Webber of Anchorage, AK and Aaron Hixson of Denver, CO. Memorial contributions may be made to the University Congregational Church, 9209 E. 29th St. N., Wichita, KS, 67226 or the Alzheimers Association, 347 Laura, Wichita, KS, 67211. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Downing Lahey Mortuary, 6555 E. Central, Wichita, 67206. Interment 1:00 P.M., Thursday, Memorial Park Cemetery, Kansas City, MO.