Donald Schley Littleton

Donald Schley Littleton was born March 27 1933 in Oakesdale, Washington to George Schley and Sidonia (Wiemer) Littleton. When Don was four years old, the family began following a rock crusher moving to Tollgate and Hermiston, Oregon; Palouse and Pataha, Washington; and Spaulding, Lenore, and Peck, Idaho. Don attended first and second grades in Rosalia. For grades three and four, Don attended Belshaw School located in the country between Oakesdale and Farmington where his mother taught grades one through eight. The family returned to Rosalia where Don attended grades five through twelve. Don was always busy during his growing-up years. He carried two newspaper routes, worked for various farmers and a service station, and operated the projectors at a local movie theater. He had wheels beginning at age 14 when he purchased a 1917 Model T pickup truck for $125. His main transportation improved to a 1947 Indian Chief motorcycle. After high school graduation in 1951, Don began working for local farmer Marvin Widman and then for Rosalia Ready Mix. In January 1953 “greetings and salutations” came from Uncle Sam, and he entered the army on March 6, 1953, to serve three years, two months, and ten days as he was fond of reporting. During his tour of duty with the combat engineers, Don spent 25 months stationed in Kassel Germany. After his discharge, Don returned to work with Rosalia Ready Mix on a runway construction project at Malmstrom Air Force Base in Great Falls, Montana. He also worked on what is now I-90 in Spokane. In November 1956 he got his first set of big wheels when he became an owner-operator with his Mack truck. Between North American and Republic Van Lines, he spent five years crisscrossing the country traveling to 48 states. Don then went into business for himself and established a trucking company providing dump truck and flat bed hauling. He worked in the Seattle area and in northern California before leaving the business in April 1963 and returning to Rosalia where he worked for a time with the Farm Supply and then went to work for a rock crusher in the Malden area as an equipment operator and later became the plant oiler. At this point in his life, Don realized that he had been chasing happiness and wealth and had come up empty. During his time in Rosalia, he made a life-changing decision to turn from his past life and accept Christ as his personal Savior. It was a completely new beginning. He referred to that decision as the most important of his entire life. He spent the rest of his life living his faith and doing his best to share it with as many as possible. During his time in Rosalia, he re-established his acquaintance with Judy Ingersoll whom he had first met as a 3-year-old when he was working on Fred Buob’s farm. After their marriage on January 4, 1964, they followed the rock crusher during which time they moved 17 times in three years to various locations in eastern Washington and northern Idaho. Melissa Ann was born June 8, 1966, when they lived in Cheney. In the spring of 1967, Don again returned to work for Rosalia Ready Mix, and the little family settled into small-town life. Larry Donald was born on September 18, 1968. After a 13-month detour from trucking with Burlington Northern Railroad, Don took a job driving for Central PreMix concrete company in Spokane where he worked for 27 years until his retirement on April 30, 1998. In 1975 he began a 5 year construction plan to build a new home. They moved and on September 1976 the family moved into the basement and completed construction moving upstairs at Christmas 1980. It was a major family project with a huge investment of sweat equity. Following retirement, Don and Judy traveled extensively by RV and air. During retirement, Don managed to add Alaska and Hawaii to complete his tour of all 50 states. Over the years Don served as a Sunday School teacher, Royal Ranger leader, church board member, town councilman, and a volunteer for Mission America Placement Service (RV MAPS). In the latter position, he and Judy traveled and lived in their RV working on various projects before spending the majority of 14 years with the School of Urban Missions (now SUM Bible College and Theological Seminary) in Oakland and Eldorado Hills, California. They were blessed to be part of the college’s amazing program growth to a fully accredited seminary training students for ministry. He volunteered his services in facility and vehicle maintenance, while Judy officially worked in the finance office. Through his time there, he had tremendous influence in the lives of many students as was evidenced by the large outpouring of condolences at his passing, and the many heart-warming tales of his influence in their lives. Until Memorial Day weekend 2023, Don enjoyed excellent health. For the next 16 months, he remained at home and entered Alderwood Manor skilled nursing facility in Spokane on September 20, 2024. He passed away on January 16, 2025. He was preceded in death by his parents; mother and father-in-law; sisters and spouses Patty and Joel Porter, Arlene and Norman Bailey; son-in-law Ernst Witte; nephew Tracy Porter; and sister-in-law Ruth Mary Preston. He is survived by his wife of 61 years Judy Littleton; daughter Melissa Witte; son Larry and Katie Littleton; grandchildren David and Elizabeth Littleton; Joy and Michael Perez; Micah Littleton; great-grandchildren Bo Jett Littleton and Blakelee James Perez; nephews Keith and Yvonne Bailey, Brad Bailey, Andy and Sally Porter, Matt and Natasha Porter; Vernon and Sarah Preston; nieces Connie and Gene Conradi, Nancy and Karl Leist, Mary Castanon, Melanie and Anton Faulk and numerous great nieces, nephews, and cousins. On Monday, January 27, 2025, a Burial will be held at 10:00 am at the Rosalia IOOF Cemetery followed by a Service at 11:00 am at Rosalia Community Church, located at 214 S. Whitman. Viewing opportunities will be on Saturday, January 25th, from 2:00 – 4:00 pm at the Cheney Funeral Home located at 1632 W. First St., Cheney, WA, and on January 27 from 9:30 am to 10:00 am at the Rosalia IOOF Cemetery. Memorials in Don’s memory may be made to: Harvest Assembly of God PO Box 247 Rosalia, WA 99170 Gideons International PO Box 122 Colfax, WA 99111 Rosalia Ambulance Fund c/o Rosalia Fire Department Rosalia, WA 99170

Donald Schley Littleton

March 27, 1933 - January 16, 2025