Donald Bruce Jeffery

Donald B. Jeffery

Sunrise: July 19, 1931 Sunset: January 28, 2026

Donald Bruce Jeffery, 94, beloved father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, passed away on January 28, 2026, surrounded by his family.

Donald, son of the late Berton Bruce and Nina Alma Jeffery, nee Ramsdell, was born on July 19, 1931, in Cedar City, Missouri. His early years were spent in Cedar City, and later he moved to Wilton, Missouri, where he received his education at Southern Boone County R1 in Ashland. He served his country in the United States Army following high school. Donald spent his working career as a heavy equipment operator and celebrated 70 years of membership with Operating Engineers Local 513 last September. He took great pride in his many years of dedicated service to the Union and in his unwavering support for his fellow Union workers. Donald was an endowed member of the Ashland Masonic Lodge #156 A.F & A.M. He was raised to 3rd degree Master Mason on January 11, 1956.

Outside of his career, Donald was an avid fisherman and hunter. He loved net-fishing the Missouri River with friends, sharing numerous stories about their antics. Deer season was akin to a major holiday in the Jeffery family household- it was a week-long celebration of great food and friendship for anyone who stopped by. He loved playing poker with his weekly poker club in Ashland and the Friday night games in Hartsburg. As health conditions no longer allowed him to travel, he learned poker on his home computer to pass the winter months. Donald spent countless hours, a fly swatter in hand, on his beloved front porch, waving to every passing vehicle. He was a staple in the community for his large garden and, most especially, his tomatoes; he took great pride in each and every harvest.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Carolyn Austeel Jeffery, son-in-law, Jerry Jasper, daughter-in-law, Gerri Jeffery, sister-in-law, Erma Gerber, and brother-in-law, Robert Melvin Austeel.

Donald is survived by four children, Stephen Jeffery, Roxann Jasper, LaDona (Chester) Livell and Virgil Kent (Melanie) Jeffery, grandchildren, Robert (Brittney) Jasper, Lesley (Rocky) Liesman, Nicole Livell, Bethany Livell (Justin Old), Rachel Jeffery, Karley (Russell) Luetkemeyer, Holynn Jeffery, Austin (Marylyn) Sherman and Rain Cross, great-grandchildren, Roman Liesman, Bea Liesman, Henry Jasper, Samuel Jasper, Axel Old, Lynnex Old, Sutton Luetkemeyer, Elliot Luetkemeyer, Trevor Jeffery, Claira Sherman and Charlie Bruce Sherman, two sisters-in-law Edith (John) Sundermeyer and Debra Austeel, other relatives and many friends.

A visitation will be held at Robinson-Yager Funeral Home on Sunday, February 1, 2026, from 2 pm-4 pm. The funeral will be held at 11 am, Monday, February 2, 2026, from Robinson-Yager Funeral Home with burial following at Bond Chapel Cemetery near Hartsburg, with Reverend Byron Klemme officiating. Memorials may be made to Ashland Masonic Lodge #156.