UPDATED 4:00 p.m. on January 20.

Donald Lloyd Pannabecker, aged 89, passed away on January 17, 2026, at Mennonite Memorial Home after a brief illness.

Don was born on August 13, 1936, to Charles Lloyd and Lelia Roth Pannabecker while his family was on a six-week furlough from China. He joined sisters Betty Jean (deceased) and Anita (surviving), with brother Danny (deceased) completing the family of six four years later. Don was raised in China his first four years where his father was a medical missionary and then grew up and graduated from High School in Peoria, Illinois.

Don went to Bluffton College in 1954, where he met his wife, Romaine Keller Clemens. Don and Romaine graduated in 1958, married and had three children: Dina, Cheryl and Tim (Joanne Dewerse). 

Don received a Masters of Divinity degree from McCormick Seminary and a PhD from Toledo University. He spent his working years, from 1964 to 1997, at Bluffton College both as a faculty member and later as an administrator.

Don calculated he preached 1,032 times in various Churches, mostly Presbyterian.

His interests included computer applications, church work, and the arts.

He is survived by his wife, Romaine Pannabecker, children, Dina, Cheryl and Tim (Joanne Dewerse) and five grandchildren: Sam and Charlie Evans; and Seth, Kate and Mia Pannabecker. 

Don was an ordained minister for the Presbyterian Church.

A memorial service for Don will be held at Mennonite Memorial Home, Saturday, February 7, 2026, at 3:00 p.m.in the Chapel.

In lieu of flowers, Don’s family asks that donations be made to the Charles L. and Lelia Roth Pannabecker Family fund at Bluffton University.

Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.chiles-lamanfh.com.