Donald Marsh

Funeral services for Donald Wayne Marsh, 82, of West Plains, Missouri, will be held at 2:00 p.m., Tuesday, June 2, at the Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home.

 

Mr. Marsh passed away at 1:10 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, 2026 at Cox South, Springfield, Missouri.

 

He was born August 22, 1943, to Roy Clarence Marsh and Cecil Florence (Weeks) Marsh. Don graduated from West Plains High School in 1961 before proudly serving his country in the United States Army for six years. A lifelong racing enthusiast, he began racing in 1963 and continued for 43 years, becoming a six-time track champion and earning induction into the Ozarks Racers Hall of Fame in 2019. Don married Joan Lancaster on August 28, 1966, and together they built a life and family over nearly 60 years of marriage. He worked for Marathon Electric as a truck driver for 32 years before retiring. Don enjoyed hunting and fishing, and was a man of Christian faith.

 

He is survived by his wife, Joan; daughters, Carrie Bethel and her fiancé, Donald Judd, and Melissa Marsh; step-daughter, Diana Downs; grandchildren Matthew, Kayla, Chelsea, Meagan, and Jadyn; eight great-grandchildren; sister, Janet Parker and husband, Darrell; two brothers-in-law, Tommy Lancaster and wife, Nancy, and Ronnie Lancaster; sister-in-law, Judy Vavra and husband, Tim; and many nieces and nephews.

 

He was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Reathel Marsh and Jerry Marsh; and stepdaughter Debbie Watson.

 

Don wanted to give a special thanks to Angie Garner and Kristi with a "K", from the cancer treatment center at Ozarks Healthcare.

 

Visitation will be held from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m., Monday at Langston Street Chapel of Robertson-Drago Funeral Home. Burial will be at Howell Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, and can be left at or mailed to Robertson-Drago Funeral Home, 211 W. Main St., West Plains, Missouri. Online condolences may be left at www.robertsondrago.com