Obituary of James Donner

Devoted Husband, Father, Grandfather, Missionary, and Engineer James Lawrence Donner, age 87, of Millcreek Township, entered into his heavenly home on Wednesday, September 24, 2014. Jim, known to his grandchildren as Pap Pap, was born in Wesleyville, PA on June 14, 1927, to Frank and Lura Donner. He was then raised on the family's farm in Waterford. After tours of duty with the Merchant Marines and the US Army, Jim earned a BS in Education from Allegheny College followed by a BS in Electrical Engineering from Gannon College (now University). He was then employed as an electrical engineer with the General Electric Company in Erie. More notably, Jim was a devoted and loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, and friend who will be sorely missed by those who love him. Even more, he was a child of God and a deeply committed servant of his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He directed choirs, led hymn sings, and taught Sunday school his entire adult life. He and his wife Rita spent twenty years in their retirement as missionaries, first in India, and then in Ghana, West Africa, where they birthed and grew a new hospital in the rural village of Ankaase. Jim and his brother Edward were founding members of Christ United Methodist Church in Erie. He also had been a member of the Laymen's Witness Ministry, the Christian Ashram movement, and Koinonia of Erie County. He enjoyed, traveling, camping, singing, and visiting his children and grandchildren. Jim is survived by five children: Dr. James Allen Donner (Peggy) of Niceville, FL, Kathleen Young (Rev. James) of Freeport, PA, Rev. John L. Donner (Pamela) of Union City, PA, Nina Moring (Mark) of Atlanta, GA, Lura Jane Donner of Erie; nine grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Rita Mae Donner; one grandson, Shane Donner; and his brother, Edward Donner. Friends may call at the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc., 4216 Sterrettania Rd. on Friday 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m., and on Saturday, 10-11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church, 2615 West 32nd Street. Funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Christ United Methodist, conducted by the Rev. Ronald Geisler. Interment will be at Waterford Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the "Christ United Methodist Church Memorial Fund," 2615 West 32nd Street, Erie, PA 16506 or "The Mission Society," 6234 Crooked Creek Road, Norcross, GA 30092 c/o The Mission Fund for Ankaase Hospital.