Donald Napell

Don Nipple/Napell, age 68, of Hays, Kansas passed away Thursday, November 19, 2020 at his home in Hays surrounded by loved ones from pancreatic cancer. He was born October 15, 1952 in Moscow, Kansas to Lester and Alice Rose (Downing) Nipple. On October 26, 1974 he married Janice D. (Newell) in Damar, Kansas.

Don, the middle child of 5 boys, was raised on a farm near Moscow, Kansas. He graduated from Moscow High School and attended Fort Hays State University where he graduated with his bachelor’s degree in business in 1974. Through the years he would go on to be president of Associates in Hays, Kansas, co-owner of John Deere in Lacrosse, Kansas, assistant manager of John Deere in Hays, Kansas, Prudential Savings and Loan In Hays, Kansas, before accepting the position of president of Farmers Credit Union in 1990. There he would spend the next thirty plus years until his retirement on July 3, 2020. During his career he served as president of the Wheatland Chapter of Credit Unions, as a board member on the Kansas Credit Union Association, and many other committees and boards. During Don’s brief illness, he had the pleasure of many friends and family, from near and far, visiting him. Don’s impact on those and others will be felt for years to come.  He enjoyed fly fishing in Colorado, pheasant and quail hunting with his son and brother, Sunday morning coffee on his back deck and morning coffee meetings/visits with members at the office. Most of all, Don was a devoted family man who enjoyed his family time and especially the grandkids, never missing an event. 

Don is survived by his wife of 46 years, Janice of Hays; his son, Adam Napell and wife Nicole of Hays; three brothers, Fred Nipple and wife Diantha of Alamosa, Colorado, Stan Nipple and wife Bonnie of Liberal, Kansas and Cary Alexander and wife Muriel of Hays, his four grandchildren, Callum, Camden, Liam and Jamison. 

Don was preceded in death by his father and mother Lester and Alice Rose Nipple  , and a brother, Kermit Nipple.

Memorial services will be 1:00 PM Saturday, November 28, 2020 at Brock's-Keithley Funeral Chapel and Crematory 2509 Vine Hays, KS 67601.

Memorial visitation will be Friday 5 PM - 8 PM at the funeral chapel.

All attending will be expected to wear masks and observe all Covid appropriate precautions. For those who are not comfortable with the regulations or being in a confined setting please use the guest book to express your condolences to the family.

For those unable to attend the services, please join the live stream beginning at 1:00 PM (CST) via:  https://www.facebook.com/funeralserviceproviders

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Don are suggested to the Ellis County Fire Department Company 5 or the CCLJ Education Fund (for his grandchildren). Please make checks payable in the name of the donation you choose.

Condolences may be left by guest book at www.keithleyfuneralchapels.com or by email at keithleyfuneralhomes@gmail.com