Don was born in Capay, CA and grew up in Aromas where in high school he met Bertha Gotterba. Don and Bertha fell in love, married in May 1941 and were happily together for 71 years.
Don passed away with family at his side and is survived by his wife Bertha and their children; Donald; Gerald and Cliff (Carol) Thome; grandchildren, Daryl (Kathryn), Valerie, Regina, Brian and Kevin; great-grandchildren: Victoria, Alexandra, Franchesca and Nicholas.
Don earned a purple heart while serving in WWII in the Navy off Manus Island; upon his return from the war he raised his family in Gilroy. He started work as a welder and eventually became owner of Chappell Steel & Hardware. Don was a Boy Scout leader; enjoyed square dancing with his wife and becoming life-time members in the Gilroy Gliders. Together they enjoyed world travel to Europe, Central America; Canada and traveling the states by RV.
Visitation will be held on Thursday May 3, 2012, from 4:00 to 8:00 P.M. at Habing Family Funeral Home. Graveside services will be held at Gavilan Hills Memorial Park on Friday at 2:00 P.M. A celebration of his life will be held immediately following the service at his home in Gilroy.
For online condolences habingfamilyfuneralhome.com.
