Donald Ray Headrick, 88

July 24, 2023

Donald Ray Headrick, 88, went home to be with the Lord on Monday, July 24, 2023, at Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lancaster, PA. Don was born in La Junta, CO, on February 20,1935, to the late John Henry and Dessie(Balmer) Headrick. He was one of 11 children born to his parents and was 9th in line and the youngest of the boys.

Don grew up on the farm working hard and having fun with his siblings and playing tricks on his sisters with his brother Lloyd. Don attended college and played football while pursuing a Master’s degree in Counseling. However, his plans to complete his masters were changed by his marriage and blessing of his first child, because the college wouldn’t allow married couples to live on campus. He enjoyed his college years and talked fondly of one of his psychology professors who allowed him to be a student teacher at certain points during his senior year. Don was a counselor at Frontier Boys’ Camp where he worked with troubled boys and pointed them to Jesus through canoe trips and many other adventures. Don was married to Valeta Pearl King in December of 1963 and shared 36 and a half years together before Valeta passed away from cancer in July of 2000. Don and Valeta had three children and raised their family in Pueblo, CO, where they attended Pueblo Mennonite Church. Don was an active member of the church board and was also an ordained minister for prison ministry. He had a heart for those who had lost their way and wanted to show the love of Christ to men in prison and tell the good news of Jesus and the way of salvation. Valeta often went along and befriended many of the men as well. Don was an amazing father and husband. He had a servant’s heart and served Valeta and his children well. He liked to be on-the-go and was always ready to run errands and take people wherever they wanted to go. Don was positive and affirming and very laid-back about most things. He smiled and joked around a lot. He was just a very positive person to be around. He never made his wife or children feel inadequate, but did an exceptional job of showing unconditional love to his family. Don worked at CF&I steel mill for the majority of his work career in Pueblo and retired early after having a near-death accident at work in 1993. Thankfully he slowly recovered and was able to do what he loved most – TRAVEL! Don and Valeta traveled all over the country visiting family and friends for many years before Valeta fell ill.

Five years after Valeta’s death in 2000, Don was blessed to find and marry a former high school classmate, Phyllis (Yoder) Widmer. They were married in 2005 and shared many wonderful years together in Washington, Iowa, until he had to move to PA in June of 2022 to get help from his children due to his failing health.

Don is survived by his second wife, Phyllis(Yoder) Widmer-Headrick, three children: Jeff husband of Nancy Headrick, Sheila wife of Dave Landis, and Lisa wife of Anthony Boll, two step daughters: Tammi(Widmer) wife of Jerry Erb and Teresa Widmer, seven grandchildren: Krystal(Headrick) wife of Jason Bonner, Andrew husband of Raquel(Santos) Headrick, Seth husband of Lisa(Espino) Landis, Joel husband of Lauren(Resnick) Landis, Moriah Landis, Kaylee Boll and Joshua Boll, four step-granddaughters: Rachel(Erb) wife of Heath Delzell, Lydia(Erb) wife of Kirby Caraveo, Hannah(Erb) wife of Ryan O’Donnell, and Faith Widmer as well as 5 step-great grandchildren. Don had four great grandchildren: Faith and David Bonner, Samuel Ray Headrick, and Avett Landis, also two sisters: Rose Kauffman and Joyce(Harold) Shetler. Don is preceded in death by his first wife Valeta Headrick, six brothers: Howard, Floyd, Melvin, Harold, Cliff and Lloyd Headrick and two sisters: Dorothy Harden and Marge Schmucker.

The family would like to express their deepest gratitude to all who served Don at Lancaster Nursing and Rehabilitation Center and Hospice & Community Care for their loving care and support over these last 8 months. We will always be grateful for each person who assisted and cared for Don, who was a well-loved and cherished dad, grandpa, husband, brother, friend and so much more.

Services are planned for Sunday, August 6, 2023, at Erb Mennonite Church in Lititz, PA, at 3pm. We will have a memorial service, then family greeting and fellowship time followed by a meal. All are welcome.