of Batesville, AR

June 10, 1925 - May 3, 2020

Dr. Don Herbert Gilchrist, 94, of Batesville passed away Sunday, May 3, 2020.

Don was born June 10, 1925 in Wellsburg, West Virginia to Fredrick Alexander Gilchrist and Mary Virginia (Lucas) Gilchrist. He graduated from Brooke High School in 1943. Immediately after high school, He enlisted in the Army during World War II, where he served in the Pacific Theater until 1946. Gilchrist received the Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, and Bronze Star.

Gilchrist moved to Chicago and graduated from Illinois College of Podiatric Medicine in 1951. He practiced Podiatry in Chicago from 1951-1954 and there he met Earlene McDonald, who was a nurse for the Santa Fe Railroad. The two married on June 27, 1958 in Batesville. Their daughters, Amy and Beth were born in Chicago in 1959 and 1962, respectively. He continued to practice in Chicago until 1964.

The Gilchrist family moved back to Batesville in 1964. Dr. Gilchrist practiced Podiatry in Batesville from 1965 until 2010 when he retired. An involved community member, Gilchrist was an active member in the Batesville Kiwanis Club for 50 years. It 1996, he was recognized by Kiwanis International and awarded the George H. Hixon Fellowship Award. Gilchrist was a member of the American Legion, VFW, and an early Mason. He was also a board member of the Batesville Federal Savings and Loan and served on the Batesville Regional Airport Commission, the Batesville Housing Commission, and the Batesville Planning Commission. He was a devoted fan of the Batesville Pioneers Football Team.

He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife, Earlene (McDonald) Gilchrist; and two brothers, Norman Gilchrist and Warren Gilchrist.

Survivors include his two daughters, Amy Lewis and Beth Miller (Bubba) both of Batesville; four grandchildren, Landon Reeves, Mason Reeves, Madison Owens, and Sydney Lewis; five great-grandchildren, Maddox Reeves, Coven Owens, Lathan Owens, Parker Reeves, and Collin Reeves; one brother, Dr. Keith A. Gilchrist of Aurora Colorado; as well as nieces and nephews; he was also like a second father to Deann Coleman and Jan Hicks.

Honorary pallbearers are Stu Smith, Batesville Kiwanis Club, Coach Dave King and the Batesville Pioneer Football Team, Dr. Jordan Weaver, Heidi Machen, Sharon Wilkins, and Dr. Bruce Berkheimer.

There will be a private graveside service held for the family under the direction of Roller-Crouch Funeral Home of Batesville with Lyndal Waits officiating.

Obituary Provided By:
Roller-Crouch Funeral Home
510 College Avenue
Batesville, AR  72501
www.rollerfuneralhomes.com