Donald Gumpert

Donald John Gumpert, 100, of Bellefontaine, Ohio, passed away peacefully Saturday, October, 27, 2012, at his residence. With him was Sharon Hoge and Renee Foster, two of his loving caregivers by his side.

He was born July 14, 1912 in Urbana, Ohio, a son of the late William Frederick and Dottie Mariah Whitmore Gumpert.

Don is survived by two great nieces, Marcy Foley of Parrish, Florida and Lissa Teoman of San Mateo, California; two great nephews, Jeffrey Pinkerton of Springfield, Ohio and Jonathon Pinkerton, Minneapolis, Minnesota, and many close friends and faithful caregivers.

Don graduated from Urbana High School in 1931 and attended Urbana Junior College before embarking on a sales career that eventually brought him to Bellefontaine following World War II. Don was drafted into the Army in 1942 and following training in automotive maintenance was sent to Egypt via a 40-day voyage with stops in Rio de Janeiro and Cape Town, South Africa.

In 1952, Don married Mary Artz and she preceded him in death in 2007. Having visited several countries during his Army service, Don was inspired to see more of the world with Mary. They traveled through much of North America and overseas including Egypt, Israel, Europe and Asia.

Both Don and Mary were pillars at the First Christian Church where both were elders, teachers and choir members. Don was a long time active member of the Kiwanis Club and the Logannaires Barbershop Chorus.

Don came from the Howard Supply Store in Urbana to run the company's new outlet in Bellefontaine in 1952. Later he and several of his employees including, Dick Lyman, Charley Cozad, John Duff and Junior Bell founded the A & I Supply Company in 1968, which operated until their retirements.

The funeral service will be held at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, November 1, 2012 at the Eichholtz Funeral Home in Bellefontaine with Gene Marine officiating. Interment will be at the Highland Memorial Cemetery in West Liberty, Ohio. Calling hours are Wednesday, October 31, 2012 from 5 to 8 P.M. at the Eichholtz Funeral Home and Thursday, one hour prior to the service.

Memorial contributions may be made to: Logan County Weekday Religious Education in his memory and in honor of the late Rev. and Mrs. Keith McNeill.

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