Donald W. Deist

Donald W. Deist, 97, of Fairhope, passed away peacefully and went to be with his Lord & Savior on September 27, 2020. He was born March 9, 1923 in Salisbury, son of William and Nettie (Poorbaugh) Deist. He is preceded in death by parents, brother Freeman Deist, and son-in-law Rick Sechler. Survived by his wife of 74 years the former Edna Miller and sister, Margaret Jane Ayers, Poland , OH. Children: Dale and wife Barbara (Hanft), Greenville, Arthur and wife Diane (Nidbella), Aliquippa, and Audrey Deist-Sechler, Fairhope. Grandchildren: Kristen (Matthew) Wilson, Carrilyn (Jeff) Holden, David (Theresa) Deist, Brianna (Matthew) Leatham, Summer Robinson, Corey (Jessica) Sechler, Julie (Jason) Huston, Jamie (Leila) Sechler, and Jessica, Jaclyn, and Kathryn Eisel and 21 great grandchildren. Donald was a 1940 graduate of Salisbury High School. After graduation, he owned and operated Sinclair Gas Station in Meyersdale. He was a World War II Army Veteran and survived the Battle of the Bulge as a member of the 82nd Airborne, 325th Glider Regiment. He was honorably discharged from the army as a Tech Sergeant after receiving a Good Conduct Medal and three Bronze Stars. Don was always proud of the fact that he was one of the 18 Elite Honor Guard Members chosen to represent his division in the ticker tape Victory Parade in New York City. Donald was a true American Patriot, advocate of voting and never missed an opportunity to vote in his lifetime. When he returned from the war, Don worked for Dairydale Dairy. In 1947, he and Edna moved with his parents to operate the Poorbaugh Apple Orchard and dairy farm in Glencoe– which in 2011 was honored by the state of Pennsylvania as a bicentennial farm. He also worked as a supervisor at PPG Glass Plant, Cumberland, MD. Community leadership was important to Donald and he served as Northampton Twp. supervisor for 39 years. He also was a former treasurer of the Berlin Area Historical Society and a member of the Berlin American Legion and Meyersdale VFW. Donald and Edna enjoyed raising their family on the farm, square dancing and in their later years camping in their RV. Don’s faith in God was always strong. He served as a church elder, sang in the choir, taught Sunday School and most recently was a member of the Calvary Bible Church of Ellerslie, MD. He truly loved life and always had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed playing cards, and being with family and enjoyed spending time operating his farm equipment. Don would buy a new car as often as Edna would allow and the grandchildren and great-grandchildren were never in short supply of orange pop or peanut M&Ms. Family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at Deaner Funeral Home, Berlin where service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday.The service will be live streamed on the Deaner Funeral Home Facebook Page. Per state mandate, masks and social distancing are recommended. Rev. Greg Miller and Rev. Ken Korns officiating. Interment Mt. Lebanon Cemetery, Glencoe. Graveside Military Rites by Berlin Veterans Home. In lieu of flowers contributions may be given to Berlin Historical Society, 400 Vine St., Berlin, PA 15530. Condolences to the family may be offered atDeanerFuneralsAndCremations.com.