Donald Gene Scifres

Donald Gene Scifres was born on August 16, 1934 to Ethel and Van Scifres in Cannelton, Indiana, later moving to Kentucky. As a young boy, he cherished time on his aunt and uncle's farm riding his pony.

He graduated from Wiley High School in Terre Haute, and later from Indiana State University's Teachers College with a Masters in music. Afterwards, he served in the United States Army Band and was stationed for two years in Berlin, Germany, where he met his love, Anita. At the end of his tour of duty, they married and moved back to Indiana, where he taught high school band and elementary music for 16 years.

While serving as a member of the Gideons, the Lord called him into fulltime ministry. He served as an American Baptist Church pastor for 20 years in his home state. After retirement, he returned to teaching as a full time substitute for Indianapolis Public Schools. In his free time, he loved to study the Bible and Bible commentaries.

He is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anita, and their four children, Annette Scifres, Dwight Scifres, Chris Clark, and Mary Provence. Don and Anita were blessed with eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild.

He will be commemorated on Friday, September 4, 2015 at 1 p.m. with visitation beginning at 11 a.m. in Colonial Hills Baptist Church, 8140 Union Chapel Road, Indianapolis. Burial will follow in Union Chapel Cemetery.

In memory of Don, donations can be made to The Gideons International, P.O. Box, Carmel, IN 46082.

Envelopes will be available at the service.

Bussell Family Funerals assisted the family in arrangements.

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