Donlie Ray Tanner

donlie tanner

May 3, 1923 ~ September 13, 2018

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Donlie Ray Tanner, 95, U.S. Army WWII Veteran and retired Tool & Die Maker, Cessna Aircraft. Born May 3, 1923 and passed away September 13, 2018. Viewing will be from 4:00 - 9:00 pm, Sunday, September 16, 2018, at Downing & Lahey East Mortuary. Graveside Service will be at 2:00 pm, Monday, September 17, 2018, at Delavan Cemetery, Delavan, KS. Donlie was a member of the Midian Shrine & Albert Pike Masonic Lodge #303 and a bluegrass fiddle player who enjoyed fishing. Preceded in death by his wife, Norma; son, Bill; 5 siblings. Survived by his son, Jim Tanner; grandchildren, Tammy (Steve) Stout, Phil (Melissa) Tanner; great-grandchildren, Sarah, Jacob, Bernadette; sister, Mary ODell. A memorial has been established with: Kansas Masonic Foundation, 402 S. Martinson St., Wichita, KS 67213.

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  1. Thank you Tammy for sharing this sad news, will try to see you on Monday. He was so special and will be missed my many.

  2. My sympathies to the entire family of Donlie Tanner. May the good memories help you through this time of grief.I worked for Donlie over forty years ago at Cessna. His knowledge of machining and tooling was immense, but his fantastic people skills made him an excellent leader. I am so happy that I got the opportunity to work and learn from him. He will never be forgotten.

  3. The great D L Tanner was one of the great men of his time and those who shared his love of music will long carry him around. Good Show-every time, old pal

  4. Donlie was my supervisor back in the early 80s at Cessna Pawnee while working in the tool & die group. Learned so much from this fine man. My condolences to his family. Take care.

  5. Theres a lot of folks from West Virginia who knew him as Uncle Donlie, he was a Champion Fiddle player and he Loved to travel the back roads.. One place in particular was called Cow Skin. Im glad when he made his last visit he got to go to the Kniceley reunion and spend the day with a lot of folks he influenced over the years.. you will be missed by many and remembered for years to come.

  6. My father, the late Billy Edward Johnson, introduced me to Donlie many years ago at Cessna Aircraft Company. They were very good friends and they shared many laughs and strenuous times together while working together in the tooling department. Donlie was a very special person and I admired his musical compassion. I pray the memories you have of Donlie fill your heart with joy, peace and contentment.


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