Donald D. ‘Don’ Erskin, 89, passed away surrounded by his family at home in Great Bend, Kan. He was born on Jan. 28, 1937, in Dighton, Kan., to Joseph and Mattie (Roberts) Erskin. On July 14, 1962, he married Sharon Mauch in Ness City, Kan.

A long-time resident of Great Bend, Don worked in many sectors - from working for his dad, who was a master plumber, to sales and parts management at Ford Motor Company in Dighton, sales at Spruill’s Motor Company in Great Bend then American Electric in the plumbing department, to owning his own plumbing supply business, Allied Wholesale Company, for nearly 20 years. Prior to his working career, he attended one year at Hutchinson Community College before serving the country in the United States Navy from 1955-1959. He was a member of the Central Baptist Church and Vintage Wheels Car Club. Don could fix any problem, restore old cars, and wanted to put a motor on everything he could. He was an inventor of the “unique and crazy”, including a motorized barstool and “Hardly Davidson” motorized bicycle. Don enjoyed race cars and racing, car shows, and adored spending time with his family.

Survivors include his wife of 64 years; two daughters, Debbie Jones and husband Duane of Wichita, and Michelle Hinson of Great Bend; four grandchildren, Tyler Hinson and wife Jessi, Marissa Sample, Janell Simmons and husband Matt, and Blake Hinson; five great-grandchildren, Grayson Sample, Kendall Simmons, Abby Hinson, Kate Simmons, and Allie Simmons; and numerous extended family members, nieces, and nephews. He is preceded in death by his parents; six brothers, Joe, Jim, Jerry, Dick, Dale and Jeff Erskin; and son-in-law, Tony Hinson.

Funeral service will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Aug. 3, 2026, at Central Baptist Church with Pastor Victor Velez presiding. Interment will follow at Great Bend Cemetery North with military honors presented by the United States Navy Honor Guard. Visitation will take place from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 2, 2026, with family receiving guests from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., all at Bryant Funeral Home. Memorials have been designated to Kansas Honor Flights or Central Baptist Church, in care of Bryant Funeral Home, 1425 Patton Rd., Great Bend, KS 67530. Condolences may be sent and notice viewed at www.bryantfh.net.

Funeral arrangemets provided by

Bryant Funeral Home

1425 Patton Road

Great Bend, KS 67530

Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 1, 2026