Page 14 - Wayne Dispatch Pages

Christmas, Continued from page 10 would give Santa their Christmas
wish list.
in Wayne in 1940, grew up in Wayne At Christmas the downtown was
and still lives in Wayne today. His decorated from top to bottom. Mul- Donald Eugene Plank, Livonia, Michigan; a member of the First Con-
family lived in downtown Wayne on holland's Drygoods Department
Sophia Street, one of the short Store, Lazar's, Gladstones, Milt 87, of Lacey, Washing- gregational Church in Michigan and later in
streets that ran north off Michigan Humphries, Kresges and many other ton, died on Friday, Octo- Alaska; and a member of the United
Avenue for a block to the Rouge businesses were decked out in holi- ber 1, 2021, in Olympia, Churches of Olympia after moving to Wash-
River. (He remembers the river as a day colors. WA. ington in 1999.
place to play in the summer and Each year on Christmas Eve all of He was born in Savan- He loved people and was known for his
skate in the winter as his parents did my husband’s relatives congregated nah, Ohio on February 17, sense of humor and for always being there
when they were younger.) My hus- at his grandmother’s home to cele-
band lived on the right side of the brate! The children sat on the stairs 1934, and was the eighth of nine children. with a helping hand. He also enjoyed fishing,
street second from the end. His at the end ofthe living room that led He lived in Savannah and Ashland, Ohio until hunting, camping and especially traveling.
grandmother on his mother's side to the upstairs. The adults gathered he joined the Air Force in 1952, serving until After retiring, he and his wife, Joan, spent
lived across the street in the last in the living room and dining room. 1956. While in the Air Force he was trained five years traveling full-time around the
house next to the river. His grandpar- Christmas song sheets were passed as an Air Traffic Controller and remained in United States.
ents on his father's side lived on the out as his aunt played the piano and that profession with the Civil Service in He was preceded in death by his wife, Joan;
next street Clark, and his Aunt and his grandmother played the Michigan and Alaska until he retired in 1981. infant son, Jeffery; his parents; six sisters
Uncle lived on the next street, melodeon. Singing filled the air and
Williams. His father’s brother and the neighborhood. Following the Don became an ordained minister in 1983 and two brothers.
his family lived across the river. My song fest there was lots of chatter and was involved with the ministry profes- Don is survived by daughters, Valerie Bahl
husband was surrounded by family and visiting as cookies and cider sionally, and then later as a volunteer, until (Randal) and Pattie Ravenheart; stepson,
in a community where he knew most were enjoyed by all! Last but not 2018. Richard Showalter (Julie); stepdaughter,
everyone as his father was a busi- least small gifts were exchanged by In 1957, he married Juanita Hiveley of Diane Ludwig (Brooks); eight grandchildren
nessman in downtown Wayne. He all. My husband loves to share these Wayne, Michigan and they shared 23 years and two great-grandchildren.
walked two blocks to the old Roo- great memories of having his whole
sevelt School and three blocks to family living together in Wayne and together. Don married Joan Showalter in An- Don will be interred at the Tahoma National
Carpenter Park in the downtown celebrating Christmas together at chorage, Alaska in 1983 and they enjoyed Cemetery in Kent, Washington.
area where Santa's House and Vil- his grandmother's house! life together for the next 24 years until her Memorial donations may be made to the
lage was located at Christmas time. Darlene Hawley death in 2008. Panorama Benevolent Association in Lacey,
It was here that all of the children Wayne Resident Don was a member of the Masonic Lodge in Washington.

14 · December 2021 · The Wayne Dispatch