Donavon Newnam
Nov. 25, 1932 - Dec. 27, 2019
Donavon Newnam, 87,
Minot died Friday, De-
cember 27, 2019 in a
Minot hospital.
Donavon Arthur was
born on November 25,
1932 in Mountrail Coun-
ty, ND to Zelnoe and
Susie (Lindley) Newnam.
He grew up in Mountrail
County until moving to
Minot with his family at
the age of seven.
Donavon attended
Minot Public Schools un-
til starting a job with the
Great Northern Railroad.
He worked in the round-
house and car shops until
he was drafted into the
US Army on March 12,
1953. He served his coun-
try overseas in Germany
until his honorable
discharge on March 3,
1955.
Donavon returned to
North Dakota and attend-
ed the ND State School of
Science in Wahpeton, ND.
He completed his degree
in auto body restoration
in 1958.
Donavon was united in
marriage to Adeline Ham-
ilton on November 2,
1958 at the Church of God
in Minot. They made their
home in Minot. Donavon
worked between the auto-
motive and railroad in-
dustries for many years.
He found his niche at
Westlie Motor Company
in the body shop prior to
opening his own business
in 1983, Don’s Body Shop,
which he owned and
operated until his retire-
ment in 2001.
Donavon was a member
of the Lighthouse Church
in Minot. Aside from his
love for cars, Donavon en-
joyed traveling, riding
motorcycle and spending
time with his family.
Donavon’s family in-
cludes his wife Adeline,
Minot; children Calvin
Newnam, Minot, ND,
Bonnie (Mark) Peters, Cas-
sadaga, NY, Byron
(Michaela) Newnam,
Minot, Nancy (Fred)
Seroski, Billings, MT, An-
ita Mekus, Fredonia, NY,
and Jack Newnam, Fos-
toria, OH; grandchildren
Holly Peters, Angelina,
Hailie, Grace and Caleb
Mekus, Wyatt and West-
ley Newnam; great grand-
son Noah Donavon Stru-
sa; siblings Zelma Mull
and Audrey Cordner, both
of Minot, ND along with
numerous nieces,
nephews and cousins.
He was preceded in
death by his parents and
sisters, Phyllis Sand,
Doris Gliege and Gloria
Polsfut, nephew Steve
Cordner and niece Cathy
Nielsen.
Funeral Service: 1:00
p.m. Friday, January 3,
2020 at West Minot
Church of God, Minot, ND
Burial: Sunset Memori-
al Gardens, Minot.
Visitation: Thursday,
January 2, 2020 from 3:00
p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at the
Thomas Family Funeral
Home, Minot.
Memorials are pre-
ferred to Lighthouse
Church for missions or to
an organization of the
donor’s choice for local
charities.
Memories and con-
dolences can be shared at
www.thomasfamilyfunera
lhome.com