Donald Metcalfe

Donald Catron Metcalfe, 89, died peacefully at his home Sunday, April 24, 2005.

He was born Jan. 20, 1916, in Kansas City, Mo., son of John Pickett and Mabel Hancock Metcalfe. Don graduated from Lee's Summit High School, and received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Washington in Seattle.

He married Mildred McKnight April 18, 1942. They had one son, David, who resides in Cape Girardeau.

Don served in the Navy and was stationed in New York during World War II, where he learned laboratory medicine at the Public Health Hospital on the base. After the war, the family returned to Missouri where Don set up a laboratory in the hospital at Chillicothe in 1946. They resided in Chillicothe until 1954 when they moved to Cape Girardeau.

In January 1954 he established Physician's Clinical Laboratory at 729 Broadway. He conducted laboratory testing for area physicians. In September 1960 the laboratory moved to 1802 Broadway, where it remained until it closed in June 1967.

The Metcalfes moved to the St. Louis area in 1967, where Don was employed by the Allen Medical Laboratories in charge of automated chemistry until he retired in 1981. After the death of his wife, Mildred, he returned to Cape Girardeau and later married Betty Werner March 19, 1994. They continued to reside in Cape Girardeau.

Don was active in the Missouri Public Health Association and the American Association of Bioanalysts. He was a member of Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce, Evangelical United Church of Christ, and was involved with Missouri Conservation Clubs.

Don is survived by his wife, Betty; a son, David and wife Sharon; a stepson, Rick Werner; two granddaughters; five great-grandchildren; and four great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his first wife, Mildred, and a brother, Dr. John W. Metcalfe.

There is no viewing. His body was donated to St. Louis University School of Medicine.

A memorial service will be held at 10 a.m. Friday at Ford and Sons Mount Auburn Funeral Home, with the Rev. Randy Heckman officiating.

Memorials may be made to Evangelical United Church of Christ Scholarship Fund.