Donald Ray Moon

Donald Ray Moon, 78, of Paoli, died Monday, Nov. 25, at Paoli Health &
Living Community.

He was born on Dec. 11, 1940, to John and Geneva Stroud Moon in Crawford
County, living his first few months of life in a log cabin that had been
built and inhabited by Thomas Stroud, who is recognized as Crawford
County's first settler and was one of Donald's ancestors. Donald was a
1960 graduate of Marengo High School and was a faithful member of Cross
Roads Church of Christ near Valeene. He was retired from First Chance
Center in Paoli where he worked as part of the center's lawn and
landscaping crew. He also was a playwright, producing plays that were
performed by First Chance Center consumers.

Donald was known for his prolific writing. Beginning in 1952, he penned
thousands upon thousands of poems and lyrics. He also enjoyed
photography, but was best known for the
handmade birthday and anniversary cards he mailed or personally
delivered to an estimated 500 family members, friends and acquaintances
each year. In instances, there are those who have said the card Donald
sent was the only one they received for a given special occasion.

As a hobby, Donald corresponded with countless celebrities, who often
sent personal notes and photographs to him.

Donald was an enthusiast of rural lifestyles, often recounting such
experiences as chopping wood and throwing hay bales on his family's farm
near Valeene. Even after leaving the farm in 2005, he returned there
virtually every Sunday, typically sitting, with pen in hand, beneath the
shade of a giant maple. There, with such inspirations as Mother Nature
or the laughter and play of his many nieces and nephews, the writer in
him flourished.

Donald is survived by his brothers Raymond Moon of Hardinsburg, Gerald
(Teresa) Moon of Mitchell, Roger (Valerie) Moon of Paoli, Denny (Tammy)
Moon of Paoli and Kevin Doris)Moon of Paoli; brother-in-law Glennis Mary
Kay) Hess of Paoli; sisters-in-law Judy Simpson of Paoli and Sherry Moon
of Hardinsburg; nephews Bryan Hess, Chad (Hilda) Hess, Brent Hess, John
(Lisa) Moon, David Moon, Jeremy Moon, Jon (Molly) Moon, Michael Bass,
Matt (Ana) Brown, Adam Brown, Mike Madden and Joe (Elizabeth) Moon;
nieces Glenda (James) Mahuron, Melissa (Brian) Hurst, Marva (Tom)
Andrews, Angela (Kevin) Cundiff, Ronda Elrod, Pamela (Jim) Cooper, April
(Jimmy) Butler, Cathy (Jon) Boulet, Cindy (Hans) Schmitz, Mariah (Kevin)
Blalock, Kendra (Charles) Mathes, Misty (Kenneth) Ross, Jenny (Jason)
Cook, Bonnie (David) Childers, and Kyanna Moon, and several great nieces
and nephews and great-great-nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Marvin Moon and Curt
Moon; sisters Esther Hess and Margie Madden, brother-in-law Carson
Madden, nephews Justin Moon and Doug Apple.

Funeral service for Donald Moon will be Saturday at 11 a.m. at the Paoli
Church of Christ. Visitation will be at the church from 4-8 p.m. Friday
and from 9 a.m. until the time of the service Saturday. Burial will be
in Oak Grove Cemetery near Hardinsburg. McAdams Mortuary is in charge of
arrangements.

To perpetuate Donald's gift for lifting the spirits of those around him,
take time to send a greeting to someone marking a milestone. A
store-bought card will suffice because Donald's handmade cards
constituted his unique ministry and, while possibly being imitated, can
never be duplicated.

The family requests memorial contribution be made to: First Chance Center, P.O. Box 267, Paoli, Indiana 47454.

 

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