Donald J. ANGLIN

15 JAN 1931 - 1 JAN 2022

• BIRTH: 15 JAN 1931, South Bend, St Joseph, IN
• DEATH: 1 JAN 2022, South Bens, St Joseph, IN

INDEX

[N30859] Donald J. Anglin
January 15, 1931 ~ January 1, 2022 (age 90)

Donald J. Anglin, 90, of South Bend, went home to be with his Lord and Savior and was reunited with the love of his life Martha on January 1, 2022. He was born January 15, 1931 to Ralph and Edith (Reed) Anglin in South Bend, the third of five children.

His father passed away when he was young; just a few years later, his mother could no longer care for he and his siblings so they went to live in the Soldiers and Sailors Children’s Home in Knightstown, IN. He ran away several times, walking all the way back up to South Bend because as he said “South Bend was home.”Transferred back up to South Bend, he lived in the Orphans home on Lincolnway. Once old enough he signed up for farm work in German Township; during this time he came to know Christ, a relationship that lasted the rest of his life. One day while delivering newspapers, he met a pretty young woman sitting on a fence. Later while at a square dance they were formally introduced and quickly fell in love. Six weeks later, he married Martha on July 9, 1949, both just 18 years old. Their middle son Larry developed special needs when less than a year old. A doctor said to put him somewhere and forget him, but he refused and made a vow to take care of his son as long as he was able. For 61 years the three of them lived in the family home until Larry moved into his first apartment and they moved into assisted living. He had many jobs in his lifetime. He had a strong work ethic and always worked to the best of his ability. He always found a way to provide for his family. He worked at Sinclair Gas, The Elks Club, Studebaker Corp., over twenty years in the bindery and shipping departments at Mossberg Printing, Frank Lipps Inc., hauled dirt and peat moss and retired from Ostheimers in 1994. He was a member of the GCC/IBT and attended union meetings at UAW #5. He helped out and attended the First Church of God in Mishawaka for many years. He was a wonderful father and grandfather. The grandkids always knew there’d be endless supply of cookies stocked in the freezer and a five spot passed to you on your way out the door. There were blanket forts, snow slides, cartoons, and Atari video games. He just made the time spent fun. But beyond all that he loved to share life skills; car repair, sewing, building, woodworking, how to fix almost anything and so much more. He just loved to teach and share his knowledge and in his quiet way was proud to see it passed on. He gave with everything he had in him, he was always ready to lend a hand. He was a tease, a jokester, always ready with a joke to make you smile even on your worst day. He loved to make people happy. His good hearted pranks and practical jokes live on family lore and will be talked about for many years to come. He had a head full of stories which he shared readily with anyone he met, he never met a stranger. He loved eating tomatoes straight off the vine, he loved music, to draw and sketch, pineapple upside down cake, Chips Ahoy cookies, Dr. Pepper, working in his yard reading wood working magazines, Grumpy Old Men, watching Hee Haw, listening to Gaither Homecoming music and watching the Gaither Homecoming programs. At Southfield Village, he made friends with many of the nurses. During the pandemic, they became family to him. He spent his days following them down the halls and sitting with them at the nurses station. He loved to make them laugh and smile. We want to thank them for the care and love they gave him. Thank you for being there for him when we could not.He was preceded in death by his wife, Martha on October 22, 2020, his parents, second father Ambrose Growe, 4 siblings, brother-in-law, Frank Banner, a niece Denise, and an unborn daughter. He is survived by his five children, Kathy (Jeff), Donald “Don” (Beverly) Sr., Larry, Marc, and Carol (Harold), along with seven grandchildren, Rev. Jeremy (Roegan), Dr. Timothy (Melissa), Donelle (Ryan), Donald, Jr., Bethany (Sam), Gabrielle, and Jessica, eleven great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Marilyn and numerous nieces and nephews.Services will be at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6, at the Palmer Funeral Home-River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, where the family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. Rev. Jeremy Towne will officiate. The family ask that masks be required for all visitors. Graveside services and burial will follow at Highland Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy on behalf of Mr. Anglin may be sent to the Salvation Army. Online condolences to the family may be sent to www.palmerfuneralhomes.com.