Donald Routte

Donald E Routte, 97, of Waco, passed away Thursday, April 3, 2025. Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. on Monday, April 7, 2025 at Grace Gardens Funeral Home, officiated by Roger Huff. Burial at Oakwood Cemetery will follow the service. Visitation with the family will be on Sunday, April 6, 2025 from 4 to 6 p.m. at Grace Gardens Funeral Home.

Donald was born in Groveport Ohio on July 4, 1927 to Mildred Routte. During his school days he was active on the football team and played golf. After school he enlisted in the navy and served his country. He married Mary Beth Evans in 1953. They had four children; Sheri Stutts married to Geary Stutts, Dan Routte, Kathy Burns married to Jeff Burns and Connie Goff. He is preceded in death by his wife Mary, his parents, and grand daughter Nikki Routte-Truesdell. In 1958 he joined The Improved Order of Red Men and made several life long friends. He served on many committees and served in all offices of the organization. He went on to serve all National offices as well, serving as the Great lncohonee for the United States, following that he was elected the National Keeper of Records. He remained a member of the organization for 67 years. He started a National program to raise funds for the Alzheimers Association, which over the years has donated millions of dollars to Alzheimers Research.

In 1993 Donald and Mary, daughter Kathy and husband Jeff moved to Texas where Don, Mary and Kathy all started working at the Red Men Bingo Hall. He later became manager of the hall and purchased the hall in 2010. His bingo hall has also donated several hundreds of thousands dollars to several charities locally. He remained active at the bingo hall up until his passing.

The past several years he enjoyed going to the casinos and playing the slot machines. Usually coming home with more than he started with.

He enjoyed fishing with all his family and traveling with his wife Mary all over the country.

He was a very loving husband, father and grandfather and he will truly be missed by everyone.

He is survived by one son, Dan Routte of Waco, three daughters, Sheri Stutts and husband Geary of Washington, TX, Kathy Burns and husband Jeff of Waco, Connie Goff of Waco; Grandchildren - Kevin Fulton, Brian Routte, Davey Routte, Jamie Burns-Simons, Cassandra Burns-Holy, Travis Goff, Nathan Goff, and Tara Goff. 17 great grandchildren- Ben Fulton, Cora Fulton, Ripley Routte, Jaxon Winters/Routte, Darby Routte-Skinner, Reagan Routte, Ethan Thruesdell, Fox Truesdell, Conner Simons, James Simons, Kyleigh Nugent, Alessandria Holy, Victoria Holy, Morgan Holy, Jaxon Guerra, Audreigh Goff, Layla Goff. 1 great great grandchild- DJ Skinner.