December 2, 1935 – January 3, 2025
Donald Cecil Mahan, 89, died at his home in Salem surrounded by family and went home to be with his Lord on January 3, 2025.
He was born December 3, 1935, to Lewie Cecil and Goldie Mae (Grow) Mahan in Bedford, IN. He married his high school sweetheart, Nancy Louise Whalen, on April 30, 1955, and they were blessed with three precious daughters, Kim, Cindy, and Fran. He graduated from Mitchell High School in 1954 and Indiana Central Business College with an accounting degree in 1968. He found Jesus on July 4, 1960, at Tulip Street Christian Church in Mitchell and later served as deacon and elder. He was an ordained minister passionate about small country churches and the elderly. The Lord called him to pastor New Union Christian Church in Bedford, 1969-1970, Mt. Hebron Church of Christ in Salem, 1972-1975, Fishing Creek Chapel in Mitchell, 1978-1986, Heltonville Christian Church in Heltonville, 1987-1992, Saltillo Christian Church in Campbellsburg, 2003-2006, Mt. Carmel in Campbellsburg, 2010 – 2015. While serving these churches, he worked as an accountant at Deterling Synkowski CPA Firm in Bloomington, Roya Chevrolet in Bloomington, M & E Honda in Bedford, and Hancock Construction in Mitchell. He worked and retired in 2000 from GE in Bloomington.
Between his full-time serving churches, he also did revivals, filled in at various churches, and performed weddings and many funerals. He did interim pasturing at Walnut Street Christian Church in Bloomington and Sugar Creek Christian Church in Campbellsburg. He was a member of Carter’s Creek Christian Church.
He is survived by his wife, Nancy, of 69 years; daughters, Kimmala Jane Johnson of Rolla, MO; Cynthia Jo Seaver (Gregory) of Jeffersonville, IN; and Fran Renee’ Bixler (Charles) of Pekin, IN. They were blessed with ten grandchildren Elizabeth Ann Markham (Matt) of Roanoke, VA; Nathaniel Galen Johnson (Kenedie) of Sitka, AK; Sarah Abigail Mellas (Nathan) of Lenoir City, TN; Seth Gabriel Johnson (Cate) of Rolla, MO; Hannah Ruth Johnson of Maryville, TN; Timothy Joel Johnson of Rolla, MO; Tiffani Lynn Purdue (Joe) of Ellettsville, IN; David Lee Bixler of Gosport, IN; Jonathan David Bixler (Alexis) of Salem, IN; Joshua Andrew Bixler (Le Ann) of Pekin, IN, and twelve great-grandchildren, Ariana and Kevin Markham; Evan, Elliana, and Lillian Mellas; Adeline, Bryce and Dane Johnson; Anakin, Oliver and Lincoln Bixler; and Mason Pardue. He is also survived by his sister, Brenda Sue Harris of Daphne, AL, and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law Galen Johnson and brother-in-law David Whalen.
Viewing and service will be at Cresthaven Funeral Home and Memory Gardens, 3522 Dixie Highway (Old 37), Bedford, IN 47421. Viewing will be on Thursday, January 9, 2025, from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. and on Friday from 10:00 a.m. until service time at 11:00 a.m. Funeral services will be held on Friday, January 10, 2025, at 11:00 a.m., with Brother Phil McDonald officiating. Burial will follow in Cresthaven Memory Gardens.
Condolences may be made at www.cresthavenfh.com.
