Donald G. Wanner, 80, passed away Sunday April 13, 2014 in his Fleetwood home.
Born in West Reading, he was the youngest child of the late George D. and Esther (Hehr) Wanner. He was a 1951 graduate of Fleetwood High School.
On May 2, 1953, he married his high school sweetheart, June B. (Emerick) Wanner, who survives. Don and June shared a June 1, 1933 birthdate, a fact he always enjoyed telling everyone.
Donald was a U S Army veteran, serving from 1953 to 1955 during the Korean War.
Employed as a technical assistant by Carpenter Technology, he retired in 1995 after 32 years of service. He was also the former Richmond Township Tax Collector for 28 Years.
A longtime member of St. Paul's UCC, in Fleetwood, he was a former Deacon and member of the Building Committee.
He was also a former member of Walnuttown Fire Co. Truck Crew where he was an active fire fighter and held various offices. Until his illness Don remained an active member of the Blandon Lions Club, earning 38 years of perfect attendance. He was Blandon Lions President from 1982 to 1983 and also served as Zone Chairman, Region Chairman, and Chairman of Drug & Alcohol Awareness Program. In 1997 he was named Lion of the Year. Additionally he was a Melvin Jones Award recipient. Don was an avid sports fan and a diehard supporter of the Phillies, Eagles, and Duke Basketball. He enjoyed walking, riding his bike, playing cards, tending his vegetable garden, picking raspberries, and spending quiet time in his garage cracking hickory nuts.
In his younger years he was an outstanding baseball and softball player. He experienced more than his share of broken ribs as the catcher protecting home plate for the Walnuttown Nutcrackers, Snyder's Sunoco and various other teams.
Don and June devoted their entire lives to loving and nurturing each other, their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Along with June, Donald is survived by his Daughter, Donna J. (Wanner) Steigerwalt and son-in-law Douglas D. Steigerwalt of Fleetwood. Also his son and daughter-in-law Edward A. Wanner and Deborah (Romich) Wanner of Temple. "Pop" was adored by his grandchildren and great grandchildren and will be dearly missed by: Granddaughter Keriellen H. (Shirk) Heydt, her husband Brian D. Heydt and their sons Douglas Brian Heydt, Elliot Wanner Heydt, Maxwell Ian Heydt, and Joseph Emerick Heydt, all of Fleetwood. Grandson Benjamin R. Shirk, his wife Raynelle L. (Raymond) Shirk and their children Roanoke Ryan Shirk and Cassadie Raycine Shirk, all of Temple. Grandson Nicholas T. Shirk of Laureldale. Granddaughter Kristen M. Wanner and her children Kamden White and Romen White all of Temple. Additional survivors include Sister Kathryn (Wanner) Yenser of Fleetwood, Sister-in-law Catharine Ann (Shollenberger) Wanner of Shillington, Brother-in-law John Meyer of Wyomissing, and Step Granddaughter Curin Romich of Collegville.
He was predeceased by his Brother Robert D. Wanner in June 2000, and Sisters Anna (Wanner) Meyer in October 2013 and Ruth (Wanner) Deturk in January 2014.
Memorial service will be Friday May 2nd at 11:00 AM at St.Paul's United Church of Christ, 5 West Arch Street, Fleetwood. A visitation with family will be from 10:00AM to 11:00AM at the church. Inurnment will be private.
In lieu of flowers Don and his family would appreciate contributions to Blandon Lions Club Scholarship Fund, 377 Park Rd, Fleetwood PA 19522 or St. Paul's Union Cemetery, P. O. Box 461, Fleetwood, PA 19522