Sublette - Donald Dean Messerly, 94, died September 14, 2025 at his home in Sublette. He was born on May 28, 1931 in Garden City, the son of Robert Carl and Hedwig (Krug) Messerly.

Don was a lifetime resident of Sublette, spending his early years on the family farm 15 miles north of Sublette. He graduated from Sublette High School in 1949. Following graduation, Don went to work on the farm before being drafted in to the United States Army. He proudly served his country during the Korean War as a forward observer. Don was honorably discharged and he returned to Sublette.

He went to work for his brother, Bob, at the service station in Sublette. Later, he worked on the construction crew that built the Northern Natural Gas plant south of Sublette. He then went to work at Northern Natural, working his way up to foreman. He retired after 39 years of service. In his off time, Don painted houses and liked carpentry, riding motorcycles, and cars, especially Cadillac's. He enjoyed trips to Red River with his family. Don was first married to Twila Streeter and together they shared three children, Debra, Don, and Dana. Later, he was united in marriage to Becky Waller on June 4, 1990.

Don was a devoted member of the Sublette Christian Church. He was a Godly man in every sense. Don lived his life with unwavering faith, putting God first in all that he did.

Don is survived by his wife, Becky of Sublette; three children, Debra Jacques and husband Kim of Sublette, Don Messerly and wife Carol of Edmund, Oklahoma; and Dana Watson and husband Kim of Sublette; five step children, Michael Waller of Wichita, Rae Green and husband Reggie of Nickerson, Monte Waller and wife Linda of Clarksville, Tennessee, Jeff Waller and wife Wendy of Dodge City, and Jeri Burghart and husband Alan of McPherson; nine grandchildren, Jeff Jacques (Nicole) of Marion, Iowa, Jon Jacques (Natalie) of Lindsay, Oklahoma, Adam Watson (Leigh) of Garden City, Alex Watson (Merideth) of Kansas City, Missouri, Katie Short (Andy) of Goodland, Kari Brown (Kendall) of Clay Center, Caleb Messerly (Amy) of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Zeb Messerly (Katie) of Yukon, Oklahoma, and Zach Messerly of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; 12 step grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, with one to arrive; and 21 step great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Bob and Jerry Messerly; one sister, Ruth Phoenix; and one great grandson, Elijah John Trevino.

Funeral service will be held at Sublette Christian Church on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at 10:30 AM with Pastors Mark Dierking and David Erwin presiding. Burial will follow at Haskell County Cemetery in Sublette with military honors by KSARNG Funeral Honors and Southwest Kansas Veteran's Funeral Honors. Visitation will be at Swaim Funeral Chapel, Sublette on Friday, September 19, 2025 from noon to 8:00 PM with the family receiving friends from 5-7 PM. Memorials are suggested to Sublette Christian Church or the family in care of the funeral home. Thoughts and memories may be shared in the online guest book at www.swaimfuneralhome.com.