Donald "Don" Eugene Van Black, 77 of Freeman, Missouri, died Wednesday, January 9, 2013 at Parkview Health Care Facility in Bolivar, Missouri. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, January 12, 2013 at the Atkinson Funeral Home in Harrisonville, Missouri with visitation from 9:30-10:00 a.m. Burial will follow in the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery in Harrisonville. Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Lions Eye Research Foundation 404 Portland St., Columbia, MO. 65201.

Don was born September 13, 1935 in Gary, Indiana, the son of Russell Eugene and Tina E. (Bauguess) Van Black. He worked as an electrician for Bendix/Allied-Signal in Kansas City, Missouri, retiring in August, 1997. He was a member of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers and a member of Church of Christ.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, one brother, Robert Van Black, one sister, Delores Edgar and his wife, Madelyn "Sue" (Potter) Van Black. He is survived by three sons, Don Van Black, Jr. of Bolivar, Missouri, Thomas "Ed" Van Black of Liberty, Missouri, John B. Van Black of Harrisonville, Missouri one daughter, Delores Jean Murff of Blue Springs, Missouri; 13 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.