Obituaries/Viewings
Donald W. Fleming | 93
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Donald W. Fleming, 93, of 600 Church Street, St. Marys, PA, passed away peacefully following a brief illness with his family by his side Tuesday, May 2, 2023, at Penn Highlands Elk.
He was born August 6, 1929, in St. Marys, son of the late Patrick J. and Genevieve Hanes Fleming. Donny was a lifelong resident of the area, a graduate of Central Catholic High School, Class of 1947, and a committed member of his community.
On December 27, 2014, in Sacred Heart Church, Donny married Elaine Hoehn, who survives.
Along with his loving wife, Donny is survived by his sister-in-law, Doris Pasquinelli of St. Marys; his brother-in-law, Jerome Hoehn of Trafford, PA; several nieces and nephews; his close friend and nurse, Stephanie Hetrick; and the Pasquinelli siblings: Amy (Joel), Julie (Kiel), Emily (Jason), and Brian (Cathy), to whom Donny was a second father. He was affectionately known to them as “Uncle D” and was an active part of their lives after the death of their father, Tony, in 1989. He loved them as his own, as well as their eight children.
In addition to his parents, Donny was preceded in death by his sister, Rosemary Dixon and his three brothers: Patrick, Thomas, and Richard Fleming. He was the last surviving member of his immediate family.
Donny was a member of the Sacred Heart Church and a veteran of the United States Army, serving as a forward observer in the artillery during the Korean War. He was a recipient of the Purple Heart and Silver Star.
He was co-owner of Metco Industries and Pro-Process and former owner and president of B&R Electric Company.
Don over the years has served on so many boards and donated to so many causes, it is hard to name them all. At an early age, he was a boy scout leader, member of the Order of the Arrow, and later recipient of the Silver Beaver Award. He was a former board member of Christ the King Manor, Cleveland Clinic, Boys and Girls Club, and the United Way to name a few. For 50 years he was on the board and witnessed its evolution from Andrew Kaul Memorial Hospital to Penn Highlands Elk. He was an original member of the St. Marys Water Authority and a former chairman of the St. Marys Republican Party. He was Trustee of the A. J. Palumbo Foundation, an original Trustee for ECCHS, and chairman of the Community Nurses for 35 years. He was the recipient of two Papal awards and donated property for the Dickinson Center’s future building in St. Marys.
He will be remembered for his kindness and generosity.
There will be no visitation.
Family and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated in the Sacred Heart Church on Friday, May 5, 2023, at 11:00 AM, with Monsignor Charles Kaza, celebrating and the Rev. Thomas Curry OSB, Pastor, con-celebrating. Burial will follow in the St. Marys Catholic Cemetery.
Memorials, if desired, may be made to: Penn Highlands Community Nurses Memorial Fund, 757 Johnsonburg Road, Suite 200, St. Marys, PA 15857; Dickinson Center, Inc., Institutional Advancement, 800 East Main Street, Bradford, PA 16701; or the Don and Elaine Fleming Foundation, Inc., 600 Church Street, St. Marys, PA 15857.
Events
Dad (Dr Keebler ) and Donnie were close friends from when Donnie met Dad who came to town with his Army trunk on 14 Railroad Street. There was a “secret” stairway from my Dad’s office down to B&R electric. Dad was incredibly busy -no vacations open 24/7 at the office or home. Dad would escape down to B&R and spend quality time with his best friend Donnie. Dad loved electronics and Donnie would answer all his questions and supply his needs. Sometimes special gifts would arrive which Dad would accept with objection but didn’t want to hurt Donnie’s feelings. Donnie loved Dad and Dad loved Donnie. It was the only relief he got from shouldering the thousands of patients’ health needs night and da. Donnie was the motor behind the Dr. Keebler student scholarship effort. I loved Donnie because Donnie loved my father. Dear Donnie I pray you are dancing with the angels.
Dear Elaine, so sorry to hear of the loss of your everloving Donny.
So very sorry for your loss. God bless
If ever there was a “life well lived”, it was Donald William Patrick Fleming. Our sympathy to Elaine and family.
Condolences from Donny’s cousin Sandy Krellner Metzler
I can hardly add anything to the beautiful obituary that was written for Donny.
Donny was always caring about our family.
Whenever we lost a family member, he was there to comfort us. I think he drove for most of our funerals.
It is sad to imagine a world without Donny being in it.
Sandy
Elaine, I am deeply saddened to hear of Don’s passing. It was always great joy visiting with you and Don. It was a very fortunate meeting when we met over lunch In
McDonalds in 2016. Since we’re both Irish with the gift of gab, it was the most enjoyable lunch and conversation and beginning of our great friendship. Don was a most gracious and caring man, who will be missed by me and many others. Again, Elaine, I send my heartfelt condolences.
Dear Aunt Elaine,
As long as I can remember it was always Donnie & Elaine. I am so sorry for your loss. He was a wonderful man, and I am very proud to have called him Uncle. He accomplished so many wonderful things in his life.
Loving you, and your love in return played a big part in why he was so wonderful. He will be missed by many.
Love and sympathy always.
Brian & Mary Lynn Fleming Faughnan & Family
We are so very sorry for your loss. I made several trips to B&R as a Rockwell Automation rep, and every time greeted with a smile and unmatched generosity. My wife accompanied me one time and Mr. Fleming treated her like a long time friend. He also made sure to include my Daughters with his generosity. We will truely miss him. God Bless
So sorry for your loss. Sending our condolences Elaine. He was a unbelievable person.
Don was and is one of the very best. His heart was bigger than his body – he cared – he laughed – he loved and God is Blessed to retire him to heaven. We wish nothing but the very best for Elaine and we give our heartfelt condolences to her and the family. When you needed him he was there – he will truly be missed by all. God Bless All.
I’m so sorry Elaine. I affectionately Referred To Donny as my ‘uncle”, because of how I felt about him. When Jodi and I were building I asked him if he could cut me a break on electric supplies, and he answered “you have the right last name Paul.” Don would help anyone without regard to their last name, he was just that kind of guy. I will pray for you.
We Celebrate You, Donnie!
A Beautiful Life Well Lived!
We miss you!
Your Legacy of Love Lives On Within the Hearts of the Many People Whose Lives You Made Better and Who Love You Always.
Our Loss is God’s Gain.
Dear Elaine and family:
You have my deepest heartfelt condolences on Don’s passing. However, please know that my initial sadness was short lived as it turned into a celebration of his life’s many accomplishments.
He was a great person with whom I’ve had the pleasure of knowing since our paths first crossed in 1972, shortly after I arrived in St. Marys. I respected the confidence he had in me to facilitate his life’s journey, and welcomed his counsel.
Magnanimous is an apt adjective to describe his many contributions, as well as his willingness to provide aid and guidance. So, dwell on the good times and Donny’s many, many accomplishments. His spirit lives on. Celebrate his passing knowing he’s already accepted his next assignment. Nothing but our good thoughts are with you.
Take care, Randall and Barbara Kurtz, DC
We love you Uncle D and will miss you!