Copeland - Don R. Dunham, 80, died July 18, 2017 at his home in Copeland. He was born on July 22, 1936 at the family farm near Copeland, the son of Ralph and Myrtle (Loucks) Dunham.

Don was a lifetime resident of Copeland. He graduated from Copeland High School in 1955. He then joined the US Army and was stationed at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. On June 19, 1959, he married Karen Hessman in Dodge City. After his discharge, he returned to Copeland to partner with his brother Jack in a business venture. Dunham Drilling was started and then in 1965, Don and Karen took over as the sole owners of Dunham Drilling, which they operated for the next 56 years. In his spare time, Don loved to restore old tractors and cars. He was a collector of peddle tractors and little tractors. Don and Karen also liked to spend time camping with family.

Don attended the Copeland Christian Church and was a member of the Copeland American Legion.

Don is survived by his wife Karen of Copeland; three children, Melody Dahlke and husband DeLoy of Copeland, Dan Dunham and wife Melissa of Copeland, and Lisa Linville and husband Mark of Randolph, Nebraska; four siblings, Jack Dunham and wife Jacqualine of Plains, Kitty Birney of Topeka, Larry Dunham and wife Jeannette of Conway, Arkansas, and Joe Dunham and wife Victoria of Wichita; nine grandchildren; and eight great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; brother-in-law, Dale Birney; and sister-in-law, Sonnie Dunham.

Funeral service will be held at South Gray Junior High Gymnasium in Copeland on Friday July 21, 2017 at 10:30 AM with Pastor Cory Clark presiding. Burial will follow at Copeland Cemetery with military honors by Copeland American Legion and KSARNG Military Honors. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel of Montezuma on Thursday July 20, 2017 from noon to 8:00PM. Memorials are suggested to Copeland Senior Center, Copeland American Legion, or Hospice of the Prairie in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.