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OBITUARY

DONALD CHARLES LAINHART

December 27, 2012

Donald Charles Lainhart, usually known as "Papa Hart," "Smooches," or Uncle Don, 87, of Sunnyside passed away on Saturday Dec. 22, 2012.

Don was born Sept. 7, 1925 in Seattle to Otho Porter Lainhart and Elizabeth Smith.

Don attended Lincoln High School in Seattle and graduated in 1943. He served in the U.S. Army with a railroad battalion for two-and-a-half years in France and in Germany. He was given an honorable discharge in 1946. He was a WWII veteran. Once he was discharged from the Army, he attended the University of Washington and graduated in 1950 with an Accounting degree.

He married Marie Valentine in 1950 and inherited a wonderful stepson Robert, who was at the time eight years old.

He went on to work at the Seattle Post Intelligencer as an accountant (CPA) and was also in the finished wood business (selling doors and frames). Donald was a principle in Northwest Chemical and then became a partner and general manager of CMX Corporation. CMX Corporation sold chemical developer for x-ray film, film and developing units throughout the Northwest. Don also recovered silver from the spent developer, which also added to the bottom line of CMX. Don was at CMX for 32 years. He eventually sold his stake in the company and was able to enjoy part of his retirement as a member of the Everett Golf and Country Club for which he was a member for 52 years. He won the club championship twice!

Grandpa Lainhart was never lacking for excitement! He was blessed with 21 great-grandchildren, from the Valentine family: Tara Reitan, Brandon Reitan, Kristi Barnes, Dallas Barnes, Joseph Tiffany and Jacob Bernardini; from the Oswalt family: Jacob, Ashleigh, Gabe, and Ben; from the Black family: Austin, Abby, Izzy, and Isaiah; from the Dewey family: Reese, Avery and Morgan; and from the Van Dyken family: Tyler, Chris, Gentry and Donald Boaz (named after his great-grandpa, Don Lainhart and grandpa, Don Van Dyken). Grandpa also had one great-great-granddaughter, Riley Tiffany.

To say grandpa Lainhart was just a grandpa would be a gross understatement of what he meant to his family and to the people he impacted not only across the Yakima Valley but also in the Seattle and Everett areas.

Don is survived by his wife of 24 years, Nadine Lainhart; sister, Betty Himmelman; daughter-in-law, Pat Valentine; nephews, Keith, Lane and Mark Himmelman, and Steve Lainhart; niece, Ann Lainhart; daughter, Sandy (Bridgman) (Jobob) Bos; son, Douglas (Vonnie) Bridgman; daughter, Kathy (Bridgman) (Paul) Jacobsen; granddaughters, Cathy Reitan, Lisa Tiffany, Lori Barnes, Melissa (Scott) Oswalt, Kimberly Bos, Jennifer (Randy) Black, Stephanie (James) Dewey, Kristin (Harry) Van Dyken and Rachel (Nate) Van Dyken; 21 great-grand children; and one great-great-granddaughter.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Otho and Elizabeth Lainhart; his brother, William; first wife, Marie; and son, Robert Valentine.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials be made to the Grandview Church of the Nazarene or to Lower Valley Hospice.

Viewing and visitation will be held Friday, Dec. 28, 2012, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Smith Funeral Home in Sunnyside. Graveside services will be held Saturday, Dec. 29, 2012, at 10 a.m. at Lower Valley Memorial Gardens in Sunnyside, followed by a memorial service at 11 a.m. at Smith Funeral Home Chapel in Sunnyside.

Those wishing to sign Donald's on-line memorial book may do so at www.funeralhomesmith.com

Smith Funeral Home Ltd. and Crematory in Sunnyside is in charge of arrangements.