MALTA-Former Billings resident, Donald "Don" Ward Painter, 86 years, died Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, Montana with family by his side.
Funeral services will be 1:00 P.M., Thursday, April 22, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church. There will be a reception at the Malta
V.F.W. Hall following the services. Graveside services will be1:00 P.M., Saturday, April 24 at the Mountain View Cemetery at Livingston, Montana with military honors. Kirkwood Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left at
www.kirkwoodfuneralhome.com.
Don is survived and missed by three daughters, Terry (Chan) Healy of Malta, Donna (Mack) Howard of Poulsbo, WA, Mary Jo (Pat) Mehrens of Billings; and two sons, Robert (Emma) Painter of Australia and Sam
(Sheree) Painter of Billings.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Teryl Hall and Ethel Lillian Painter, his sister Margaret Painter and his wife of 53 years, Bari.
Don will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, all of whom had the opportunity to meet and enjoy
"Granpa Don." They loved him dearly: Mike, Betsy, Crystal, Zane, Mack, Jen, Kathy, Dan,
Kydee, Samantha, Stephen and Jessica as well as his fifteen great grandchildren.
Don was born in Livingston on July 1, 1923. He attended high school in Anaconda and chose to enlist in the United States Navy, serving his country in World War II and Korea. He was an apprentice plumber under his Father Teryl and remained a hard working man the rest of his life. Don was soft spoken, humble and honest with a sense of humor he never lost, that he shared with those close to him.
He married Felistas “Bari” Berry on Oct. 26, 1949 in Elko, Nevada; she died July 25, 2002. Don worked for over 40 years as a plumber and a maintenance supervisor at Montana State Hospital at Warm Springs before retiring. After retiring, Don enjoyed nothing more than riding his beloved mountain bike. Don will never be forgotten; the world lost a good man.
MALTA-Former Billings resident, Donald "Don" Ward Painter, 86 years, died Saturday April 17, 2010 at the Hi-Line Retirement Center in Malta, Montana with family by his side. 