Donald E. Bromlow

Donald E. Bromlow, 85, of Winfield, KS passed away Saturday, January 7, 2023 at Ascension via Christi St. Francis Hospital in Wichita, KS.

Funeral service will be held at 10:00 A.M. Thursday, January 12, 2023 at Trinity Lutheran Church of Winfield, KS.  Burial will follow at the Kansas Veterans’ Cemetery.  Visitation will be held from 5-7 P.M. Wednesday, January 11, 2023 at the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.  Memorial contributions may be made to Trinity Lutheran School, donations may be left in the care of the Shelley Family Funeral Home of Winfield.

Donald E. Bromlow was born at the family farmhouse near Fairview, OK in 1937, the son of Marion and Pansy Jaunita (Brownell) Bromlow. He lost his mother and three siblings at age 9 in a tragic house fire, and was subsequently raised by many loving aunts, uncles, and cousins.  He graduated from high school in Guymon, OK.  He attended Oklahoma Panhandle State University for a year, before leaving to work on the railroad.  He then worked for Sunray Oil Company in OK before moving to California where he worked at Northrop Aircraft as a draftsman.  Don joined the Airforce where he served for two years and was trained as a Medic and Radio Operator.  After a family emergency and with help from the Red Cross, Don was released from the service early in order to raise his twelve-year-old sister.  Don later attended The University of Central Oklahoma and earned a bachelor's degree in education in 1964 and then his master’s in 1966.

Don was united in marriage to the love of his life, Karen Thornburg, on August 28, 1964 at Peace Lutheran Church in Edmond, OK.  They shared 55 wonderful years together.  He was a superintendent of schools in Oklahoma and Texas until 1976 when he moved his family to Winfield, KS to head the business department at St. John’s College (1976-1985).  Beginning in 1985 he worked as a cost accountant for the Binney and Smith (Crayola Crayon) plant in Winfield, until its closure in 1999.  Don also worked as an accountant and consultant for Rubbermaid, as a para for USD 465, and was very active in his church and other volunteer activities within the community.

Survivors include his sister, Barbara Feeney and half-sister Cindy Cruz; son Donald Bromlow II and wife Leah, daughter Juanita Callihan and husband Cary, son David Bromlow and wife Lisa, and daughter Katrina Tarver and husband Charlie; grandchildren: Amber (Jeremy) Horton, Cayla (Mangin) Chacon, Kristen Callihan, Dawson (Sarah) Bromlow, Nathan (Natalie) Bromlow, Carolyn Bromlow, and Kayden Tarver; and great-grandchild Blakely Horton.

He is preceded in death by his parents; infant brothers; adult sisters Betty Zimmerle and Shirley Carle; and his beloved wife Karen Bromlow.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Donald E. Bromlow, please visit our floral store.