Slaton, Donnie Prince

Donnie Prince Slaton, 63, of Cedar Rapids, died Wednesday, Nov. 25, 2009, at his home surrounded by his loving family. Services: 1 p.m. Saturday at First Church of the Open Bible, Cedar Rapids, by Pastors Dan Sanford, Larry Janda and Charles Stevens. The family will greet friends from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at Murdoch-Linwood Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Cedar Rapids. Burial: Linwood Cemetery, Cedar Rapids.

Survivors include his wife, Pamela; his mother, Nellie Slaton of Cedar Rapids; his son adopted in love, Troy (Amanda) Langford of Prairie Village, Kansas; his sons, Jamie (Tammy) Slaton of Shellsburg, Scott (Jenni) Slaton of Newhall and Jeremy (Katie) Slaton of Cedar Rapids; his grandchildren, Johnathan, Shane, Caden, Rebecca, Brady, Andrew, Jessica, Ashton and a grandson due in three months; his siblings, Earl Slaton, Bobby Slaton, Wanda Church, Gail Finn, Judie Phillips and Carol Wayne Slaton, all of Cedar Rapids; and his goddaughters, Danelle Cornell of Delhi and Anah Janda of Cedar Rapids.

He was preceded in death by his father, Basil; and a goddaughter, Mikayla Langford.

Donnie was born May 28, 1946, the son of Basil and Nellie (Luttrell) Slaton, in Madisonville, Kentucky. He served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. On May 12, 1967, Donnie was united in marriage to Pamela Mains at the First Church of the Open Bible, Cedar Rapids.

He was a member for 49 years of the First Church of the Open Bible, where he served as an elder for 20 years. Family and friends describe Donnie as a faithful servant and witness to everyone he met. His hobbies included “fixing things,” fishing, camping and helping anyone who needed it. Donnie was the most loyal and caring man ever. His love for his grandchildren kept him going, right to the very end. We will always remember his kind spirit, gentle voice and never ending devotion to his wife, children and grandchildren.

Donnie may be gone but not forgotten. His favorite companion, Cocoa, will miss him very much. The family would like to thank Dr. Cowden, Dana, all the RCC staff, his precious nurses from 5 Center, Dr. Hilliard and Dr. Joel Sardinski.

Military honors provided by American Legion Post 727 Honor Guard.

Memorials may be directed to First Church of the Open Bible, 1911 E Avenue NW, Cedar Rapids, IA 52405, in memory of Donnie.

Please sign the online guest book for Donnie at www.murdochfuneralhome.com under obituaries.