Donly Dulany (White) Dehn, 102, of Clinton, Missouri passed away Tuesday evening, July 4, 2023, at the Appleton City Manor in Appleton City, Mo. She was born May 3, 1921, in Fayette, Mo., the daughter of John Hubbell White and Myrtle (Dulany) White.
As a young child, their family moved to Clinton, Mo., where her father worked for MKT Railroad. She attended Clinton Public Schools until her senior year, at which time her father was transferred to Sedalia, Mo. Donly graduated from Smith Cotton High School in 1939. She made many trips from Sedalia to Clinton on the KATY to visit her friends and future husband, Darrell Dehn. Donly and Darrell were married November 16, 1941, and made their home on a farm west of Clinton. They became parents of two children, William David and Deborah Dulany. During their early days of marriage, Donly was employed as a telephone operator. She later became a full-time mother and farmwife.
For Donly, her greatest blessings in life were her family and friends of all ages. Donly and Darrell loved entertaining friends and family in their home. They made many lifelong friends while traveling in their private aircraft throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and Central America with the International Flying Farmers Association. She enjoyed Tuesday Bridge Club, Waggsack Bridge Club, several birthday groups, golf, and was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She was an 81-year member of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton and served as a Deacon and Elder. She loved the time and friendships she made as a volunteer at Golden Valley Memorial Hospital. She was an avid fan of her grandchildren’s and great-grandchildren’s sporting events and loved to attend their school activities. She was lovingly called “DonDon” by family and friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Darrell J. Dehn, Clinton, Mo.; one son, William David Dehn, Clinton, Mo.; stepmother, Ruth Chandler White, Sedalia, Mo.; and sister, Dorothy Ream, Sedalia, Mo.
Donly is survived by one daughter, Deborah Wilson and husband John, Montrose, Mo.; grandson, Bryan Dehn and wife Melinda, Clinton, Mo.; granddaughter, Susan Potter and husband Aaron, Clinton, Mo.; grandson, Wesley Wilson and wife Emily, Clinton, Mo.; grandson, William Wilson and wife Sarah, Calhoun, Mo.; daughter-in-law, Renie Dehn (Buckner), Clinton, Mo.; nine beloved great-grandchildren, Laurel (Dehn) Rittman (Sam), Adriane Dehn, Dulany Potter, Reese Potter, Ava Potter, Dawson Wilson, Linden Wilson, George Wilson and Scott Wilson; two great-great-grandchildren, David Wayne Rittman and Aubree Rittman; and nieces and nephews, Linda (Cox) Gibbs, Eileen (Cox) Pearl, Donna (Cox) Carman, Barbara (Miller) Mason, Paul Barbee and Chris Barbee.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 12, 2023, at the First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, where the family will receive friends from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m., just prior to the funeral service. She will lie in state from noon to 8:00 p.m. Tuesday at the Bradley & Hadley Funeral Home, Clinton. Interment will be in the Englewood Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Golden Valley Memorial Hospital Foundation Radiation Oncology or the First Presbyterian Church Memorial Fund, and these donations may be left in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be left online at www.bradleyhadley.com.
