Donald Wayne Couchman

Donald Wayne Couchman was born at Monroe Hospital in Unionville, Missouri, on August 10, 1961, to parents Jay and Gloria (Collins) Couchman.

In his youth he enjoyed 4-H, hunting, fishing, and spending time with his grandparents. During high school he spent many hours working with Don Veirs tanning hides and helping on the farm. Playing pool was one of his favorite pastimes when not working.

He graduated Putnam County High School in 1979. Once graduated, he began laying rural water pipeline until he returned home and started the business Couchman Custom Fencing.  In 1985 he purchased the farm West of Unionville where he enjoyed cattle farming until the time of his passing. Donnie loved his west end community. The friendships and bonds they all shared got them through a lot of hard times.  They always took care of each other and loved to help one another hay, work cattle, and cut wood. They enjoyed getting together and sharing their “stretched” hunting and fishing stories. He was also an arrowhead enthusiast, avid shed hunter, and wildlife observer.

Donnie went through the hardship of losing an infant son and raising four children as a single parent. Instilling a hard work ethic in his children was very important to him. He and the kids built miles of fence all over Putnam County.  Donnie passed his love of deer hunting to his kids and loved to hunt with his sons.  He would get them pumped up all fall telling them about all the big deer he had seen, but they all seemed to disappear when they went hunting with him. Donnie loved to talk for hours with his children about music. His love of old country, bluegrass, and classic rock will live on through them. He also passed down his love of coin collecting, being outdoors, animal husbandry, fishing, and passion to reach out and help neighbors.

Being a Grandpa was a great joy for Donnie. He never missed a birthday, sporting game, dance recital, or church program, and he loved to bring sweets for all of his grandchildren.

Donnie, 62, passed away due to a massive heart attack while driving on Monday, August 21, 2023.  He was preceded in death by his son, Andrew Couchman, father, Jay Couchman, grandparents, Victor Couchman, Vera Couchman, Allen and Verna Collins, and lifelong friends, Kent Murphy, John Steele, Monte Michael, and Doc Dunkin.

He is survived by his mother, Gloria Couchman, four children, Sara (Mike) Collins, Troy (Elizabeth) Couchman, Molly (Ben) Crawford, and Ty (Breanna) Couchman, fourteen grandchildren, sisters Linnette (Tom) Caley, and Susan (Gary) Grimm.

Visitation will be held from 5-7pm on Friday, September 1st, 2023, at First Christian Church in Unionville, Mo.  Memorial services for Donald Couchman will be held at 10am on Saturday, September 2nd, 2023, at the First Christian Church also.  Memorials are suggested to the Unionville Cemetery.  For additional information, contact the Playle & Collins Family Funeral Home at 660-947-2200.