Born on Oct. 28, 1931, Don was raised in his beloved Bloomsbury. He was surrounded by many relatives and family friends. He grew up enjoying summers playing ball, swimming and fishing in the Musconetcong River that flowed behind his home. Winter days were spent sledding and playing ice hockey. Hunting deer, rabbit and all variety of birds in the fields and woods surrounding town was perhaps his favorite activity. Throughout his life he was always happiest enjoying God’s creation.

In his senior year of high school, Don began dating Joyce Hughes, who would eventually become his wife. After graduation, he enlisted in the United States Navy. While on furlough in 1953, Don and Joyce married. Upon discharge in 1954 they bought and restored a home in Bloomsbury where they lived and raised their daughters for over 34 years. At the same time Don bought a milk route where he picked up milk cans from the local dairy farmers and delivered them to the dairy. In 1959, with his first child on the way, Don sold the milk route and went to work as a salesman for AB Dick. A second child soon followed in 1961.

In 1970, Don and Joyce started D&J Printing. They worked together until 1993 when they sold the business, retired and moved to Virginia to be close to their grandsons.

Don was a member of Bloomsbury Presbyterian Church, Bloomsbury Rod and Gun Club, First Baptist Church, Phillipsburg, N.J., Shenandoah Baptist Church, American Legion Post 0093 and VFW Post 5895.

He was preceded in death by his devoted wife of 48 years, Joyce Hughes Jones; daughter and son-in-law, Susan Stark (John); and special friend, Lula Johnson.

Surviving are his sister, Shirley Pensack of Belvidere, N.J.; daughter, Kim Bennett (Mark) of Buchanan; grandsons, Michael Bennett (Alex Kingma) of Lafayette, Ind., Patrick Bennett (Abby) of Charlotte, N.C., and John Bennett (Elaine) of Buchanan; great-grandson, Luke Bennett of Charlotte, N.C.; and many relatives and friends.

The family wishes to extend their sincere thanks to everyone at Kendal at Lexington and Rockbridge Area Hospice for their care, compassion and support during Don’s illness. May God bless you all.

A celebration of life was held at the Botetourt Funeral Home in Buchanan on Monday, Feb. 20, with the Rev. Skip Hastings and Elder Cleatus Newcomb officiating. Interment will be held at Fairview Cemetery at a later date.

Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.botetourtfuneralhome. com.

Arrangements were by Botetourt Funeral Home – Buchanan Chapel. N-G