AMHERSTDALE, W.Va. —Donald Jean Bragg, 71, of Proctor Bottom, Amherstdale, went home to be with the Lord on Saturday, February 7, 2009, from his residence following a lingering illness.

Born October 27, 1937, at Latrobe, he was a son of the late Valentine and Caroline Osborne Bragg. Also preceding him in death was one brother, Charles E. Bragg; his step-mother, Margaret Curry Bragg, and one nephew, Craig Bragg.

Mr. Bragg was a construction worker and co-owner and operator of B&B Bit Company at Amherstdale. He was a veteran serving in the U.S. Army for nine years reaching the Rank of Staff Sergeant. Donald served as a Combat Engineer of the 38th parallel in Korea and also was a disabled veteran of the Vietnam War stationed at Bein Hoa Airbase. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Service Star, Vietnam Campaign Medal with 60 Device, Bronze Star Medal, and Good Conduct Medal, along with the Expert Rifle Badge, all for actions against hostile forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Donald was also a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Those left to cherish his memory include his loving wife of 48 years, Eunice Roselee Adkins Bragg; seven sons, Jimmy (Drema) Adkins of Hensley Heights, Man, Charles (Treasa) Urconis of Elk Creek, Ricky Gene (Kristy) Bragg of Robinette, Randy Bragg of Braeholm, Randall (Mitzie) Bragg of Accoville, and Donald "Slick" (Sabrina) Bragg and Kent Bragg, both of Amherstdale; one daughter, Trina Wiley of Lundale; 21 grandchildren that loved him dearly, Kelly (Dale) Cook, Cindy (Ray) Anderson, Jimmy Adkins II, Jaime Dawn Urconis, Stacie (Jimbo) Epperly, Ricky Gene "Boo" Bragg II, Kyleigh Bragg, Randy Bragg II, Jacklyn Bragg, Matthew Bragg, Kaitlyn Bragg, Janie Bragg, Nicholas Bragg, Austin Bragg, Summer Bragg, Tyler Bragg, Shianne Bragg, Kent Valentine Bragg II, Ricky Wiley II, Josh Adkins, and Michael Grimmett; nine great-grandchildren, Bryce, Caleb and Kerri-Anne Cook, Kayla, Emma and Hunter Anderson, Jaime Lynn and James Epperly and Gunnar Cline; five brothers, Bob L. Bragg of Sheffield Lake, Ohio, Jamie Bragg of Beckley, Larry J. (Carol) Bragg of Kistler, Danny (Zona) Bragg of Accoville, and Kenny (Sue) Bragg of Robinette; four sisters, Shirley (Dale) Hollis of Uniontown, Ohio, Susan (Terry) Skaggs of Hartsville, Ohio, Diana (David) Brown of Calumett City, Ill., and Dreama (George) Stepp of Mt. Hope; one very special friend, Ray Bryant; many nieces and nephews along with a host of other relatives and friends.

Services will be conducted at 12 noon Wednesday, February 11, at the Becco United Baptist Church with Rev. P.J. Tomblin and Rev. Freddie Clay officiating. Burial will follow in Highland Memory Gardens at Godby with military graveside rites conducted by the VFW Post 6153 and American Legion Post 103 of Chapmanville and the DAV Post 39 of Harts.

Pallbearers will be his sons, Ricky, Randy, Kent, Randall, and Donald "Slick" Bragg, along with grandsons, Jimmy Adkins II and Randy Bragg II.

Honorary pallbearers will be his brothers, James, Bobby, Larry, Danny, and Kenneth Bragg.

Visitation will be from 6-9 p.m. Tuesday and one hour prior to services Wednesday at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests contributions be made to the Viet Nam Veterans Chapter 308, P.O. Box 397, Henlawson, WV 25624

Condolences may be sent to krantzmcneely@yahoo.com

Krantz-McNeely Funeral Home of Man is in charge of the arrangements.