Donald Gene Warkentin

Donald Gene Warkentin, 72, of Emelle, AL passed away at his residence on July 19, 2023. A funeral service is planned for Monday, July 24, 2023 at Southern Star Mennonite Church in Geiger, AL at 2:00 p.m.  Interment will follow in Souls Chapel Cemetery, Geiger, AL. Visitation will be held at the church Sunday, July 23, 2023 from 6:30-8:00 p.m. Cockrell Funeral Home of Macon, MS is honored to be entrusted with arrangements.

Donald Gene Warkentin was born to Ernest and Alice Warkentin on May 15, 1951 in Turlock, California. He departed this life on July 19, 2023 at his home near Emelle, Alabama. His death was caused by cancer.

His childhood years were spent on the family almond farm at Winton, California and he received his formal education at Winton Elementary and Atwater High School. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and camping with his parents and siblings.

Don answered the Lord’s call and was baptized into the Church of God in Christ, Mennonite on January 19, 1965 by Minister John Jantz at Winton, California. He was greatly influenced by his two years spent in 1W service in Haiti where he made lasting friendships and found his life’s companion. His passion for woodworking inspired him to share his skill with the Haitian people.

Shortly after Don returned home, his father Ernie was killed in a tragic accident. This was a very traumatic time for him and his eight siblings.

He was united in marriage to Jennalea Nightingale in Fairview, Oklahoma on November 10, 1972 by her father, Minister Carl Nightingale. Two children were born to us: Rosanne in 1975 and Ernie in 1977.

After living in Winton for three years we moved to Okolona, Mississippi to farm soybeans. In 1981, we relocated to Leland, Mississippi where Don’s occupation was land leveling. Seven years later we bought a farm near Okolona where he farmed soybeans and fish. In 1990, he began a trucking business which he continued after moving to Geiger, Alabama in 2010. When his health no longer

allowed him to drive truck he enjoyed taking care of a car wash we purchased.

In 2020, the sudden and unexpected loss of our son left our hearts torn and grieving.

Recently Don had a special experience of reconsecration which brought      acceptance for God’s plan in his life. It is a great comfort to us as his family. He passed peacefully surrounded by all his children and grandchildren.

He is survived by his wife, Jennalea; daughter, Rosanne and husband Guido Alvarez, Geiger, Alabama; daughter-in-law, Elizabeth Warkentin, Okolona, Mississippi; ten grandchildren: Cynthia and Clay Giesbrecht, Sami and Angel Ventura, Katrina, Deandra, Carlos, Sierra Alvarez; Sean, Mykenzie, Jerica, Kelsi Warkentin; his mother, Alice Warkentin, Atwater, California; three brothers: Ed and Yvette,

Ralph and Sharon, Les and Alice; two sisters: Barbara, Theda and Brad Jantz; one sister-in-law Patricia Warkentin; Jennalea’s siblings: Keith and Diane Nightingale, Myron and Effie Nightingale, Charlynne and Michael Koehn and many friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, his son, and three brothers: Jim, Allen and Kenneth.