Donald H. King

DONALD  H.  KING

Loving husband, father, grandfather & friend

Donald H. King, age 88, 270 Cole's Creek Mill Road, Benton, died at 7:35 p. m. Saturday, April 30, 2011, at the Bonham Nursing Center, Stillwater (Register) under the care of the Columbia Montour Home Hospice,  after a lengthy illness.
Born on October 10, 1922 in Lake Township, Luzerne County, he was a son of the late George Wayne and E. Mae (Ruggles) King.
He was a 1940 graduate of the former Lake Township High School and in 1950 received his BS degree from Bloomsburg State Teachers College. He resided in Dallas for a number of years before moving to Sugarloaf Township, Columbia County in 1975.
Don was employed as an underwriter for the Bendix, Corp., Tunkhannock for 20 years before becoming a self employed contractor in 1975, retiring in 1988. He then served as Benton Boro secretary for four years, retiring again in 1992. He  served as an auditor in both Lake Township and Sugarloaf Township.  He also served on the Columbia County Planning Commission for 15 years.
  He was a member of the Benton Christian Church; Oriental Lodge 460, F & AM and the former Benton Lodge 667 F & AM for over 25 years;  Northern Columbia County Community Center; and a charter member of the Benton Rodeo Association, serving as secretary for many years  
    Don was a charter member of the Benton Lions Club and was it's first president, also serving as secretary for many years, on various committees and as a District officer. He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellow Award by Lions International in recognition of his tireless work and dedication  to Lions.  
He served with the US Army during World War II and was a member of the American Legion in Wilkes-Barre.
   After designing, excavating and building a new "branch" of Cole's Creek Mill Road to detour traffic away from his home and donating his efforts to Sugarloaf Township, he became a local folk celebrity by being interviewed by The Associated Press, CNN and newspapers as far away as England's "London Daily News".
  Don was preceded in death by a son. Alan B. King in 1977 and by two brothers: John W. King and Roy H. King.
  Surviving are his loving  wife, the former Barbara R. McNinch, with whom he celebrated his 35th wedding anniversary on June 14, 2010; two sons: Donald L. King, and his wife Pat, Harvey's Lake and Kenneth M. King, and his wife Melissa,  Haltom City, Texas; three step-daughters: Susan E. "Soozie" Hummel, Port Orchard, Wash.; Kay Hummel Wright, Lancaster and Kathy A. Hummel, at home.
  "Grandpa Don" was a title he wore proudly being a grandpa to his three grandchildren, seven step-grandchildren, one great-grandson and nine step- great-grandchildren. He was adored by all of them and never spoke a harsh word to any of them.
  He is also survived by a sister, Dorothy Wadas, Shavertown and three brothers: Richard E. King, Harding; Lyle K. King, Dallas; and E. Theodore King, and his wife Lorraine, Centermoreland.
  Funeral services will be held on Thursday at 11 a. m. in the Benton Christian Church, Third & Church Streets, Benton, with his pastor, Rev. Dr. David Mansfield officiating. The family will receive friends from 10-11 a. m. Military honors will be provided by the combined VFW group.
   The family will provide flowers. Memorials may be sent to either the Columbia Montour Home Hospice, 410 Glenn Ave., Bloomsburg, Pa 17815 or the Benton Lions Club, P. O. Box 193, Benton, PA 17814.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of the Dean W. Kriner, Inc., Funeral Home & Cremation Service, Benton.
To sign the guest book or to send a message of condolence, please go to: www.krinerfuneralhomes.com