Donald Robert Passwaters, 91, went to live with his Lord on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2017, while at home.
He was born on Oct. 14, 1925, in Mt. Sterling, the son of the late Floyd and (Elizabeth (Toops) Passwaters.
He was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Sterling all of his life and sang in the adult choir as a tenor soloist. Donald continued singing until the time of his death. He worked and served on many committees in the church.
Donald served his country during World War II in the European Theatre, 3rd Army, 89th Division, 314th Engineers Combat Battalion for 2 ½ years.
He married his high school sweetheart, Betty King, on Nov. 21, 1944, while on leave from the U.S. Army. Their marriage lasted for nearly 73 years until his death.
After retiring from the Army, Donald took on-the-job training as a linotype operator and completed 42 years as such until he retired in 1987.
Donald enjoyed vacations and camping with his family and friends, having traveled through many U.S. states and Mexico, as well as fishing and boating, square dancing, wood working and vegetable gardening.
He was a life-time member and Past Commander of the American Legion. He served his community for 15 years as a volunteer for Meals-On-Wheels.
In 2001, Donald was given the honor of traveling to Washington D.C. to visit the World War II Memorial as a guest of Honor Flight.
He is survived by his loving wife, Betty; children, Mark (Patricia) and Melanie; two granddaughters, Andrea (Bo) Adair and Alicia (Azeem) Haqq; four great-grandsons, Chaz Murphy, Salim, Cael and Ty Haqq; one great-granddaughter, Haven Adair; special long-time friends, Jean Bragg and Charles Crable; and many other friends.
A Celebration of Life service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 18, 2017, at the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Sterling, 110 S. London St., Mt. Sterling, with Reverend Jay Moyers officiating. Burial services will be held privately for the family at Pleasant Cemetery, Mt. Sterling.
If they choose, friends may make memorial contributions to the First United Methodist Church of Mt. Sterling or to Mt. Carmel Hospice in Donald’s memory.
The Porter-Tidd Funeral Home, 331 W. Main St., Mt. Sterling, assisted the family. Please visit www.tiddfuneralservice.com to send condolences to the Passwaters family.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
