Donnie Gene

Rannefeld

Donnie Rannefeld 80, from Abilene and formerly from Sweetwater, passed away December 9th at his residence.

Services will be held 2:00 P.M. Friday, December 15, 2023 at First Baptist Church with Rev. Tique Hamilton officiating. Interment will follow at Roscoe Cemetery under the direction of McCoy Funeral Home.

He was born in Roscoe, Texas on June 27, 1943 to Troy and Gladys Rannefeld. Donnie graduated from Hermleigh High School and attended West Texas State University in Canyon, Texas. In 1967, Donnie began his career in law enforcement by joining the Department of Public Safety Academy.

Upon retirement from DPS he was elected Sheriff of Nolan County and served three terms. After he retired from the county, he continued employment with the Nolan County Sheriff's Office as a transport deputy. Donnie also worked at McCoy Funeral Home helping with transportation services for several years. Donnie loved the Lord and his family above all else.  He served his community without fail.  If you called on him, he showed up early.  If he called you friend you felt special and worthy.  His laugh was contagious.  He believed in doing the right thing for the right reason.  He was a great man, leader, husband, uncle, and Pop to his grandsons.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister Nelda Rannefeld.

He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Nita Rannefeld, his daughter Melissa Rannefeld, his grandsons Zachary Wood and Chase Powell, his sister Peggy Alexander, sisters-in-law Sheryl Deere, Ann Curtis (Bobby), and brother-in-law David Corley (Mindy).

Pallbearers will be David Warren, David McDonald, Jerry Watts, Israel Vera, Stan Waters and E.J. Nunez.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the First Baptist Church of Sweetwater Children's Camp Fund.