Donald W. Davis

Donald W. Davis (Don) died peacefully at his home on March 22, 2017, surrounded by his devoted family. Don is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Rosemarie Davis (nee Trimer); his four children: Ann Custer, Nancy (Mark) Skolnick, Mark (Kathleen) Davis, Amy Davis; and his four grandchildren: Adam, Mia, Craig (Andrea) and Kira.

Don grew up in Altoona, PA and attended Altoona High School. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII, drafted in 1943 on his 18th birthday. He served in the European Theater of Operation (ETO) from 1943-1946, assigned initially to the 140th Anti-aircraft Artillery (AAA) gun battalion; and later assigned to the 26th Infantry Division (Yankee Division), Company B, 101st Infantry Regiment, 2nd Platoon. He rose to the rank of Sergeant, serving in France, Germany, and Czechoslovakia. Toward the end of the war, his platoon liberated a prisoner of war camp at Mauthausen-Gusen, Austria. When he returned to Altoona after WWII, Don met his future wife, Rosemarie Trimer. They were married in June 1949, while Don was a student at Penn State University, where he graduated in 1950. Don began his career as a high school teacher in Frederick, MD, where his first two daughters were born. The family moved to Woodbury, NJ in 1953, where the family bought their first and only home, and where his son and third daughter were born. Don taught high school history and economics at Woodbury High School from 1953 until his retirement in 1982. While teaching, Don was also the assistant track coach at the high school.

Don was an avid fan of the Penn State Nittany Lions football team. Don had season tickets for many years, attending numerous Penn State football games with his wife, Rosemarie, and close friends. Don was also a lifelong devotee of the Cincinnati Reds baseball team, and he and Rosemarie traveled to Cincinnati nearly every year to enjoy watching the Reds. Don also had many other interests including stamp collecting, reading, and listening to Big Band and jazz music, especially his favorite singer Ella Fitzgerald. He and Rosemarie traveled every year to Anna Maria Island, Florida, where they enjoyed many relaxing days on the beaches and many beautiful sunsets.

Family and friends are invited to attend a memorial service at Gloucester County Veterans Memorial Cemetery at 11:30 AM on Saturday May 20, 2017. Memories and condolences may be shared at this website: www.ellisstiefelfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to your local Alzheimer's Association or to the Penn State University Foundation (website: https://secure.ddar.psu.edu/s/1218/2014/wide.aspx?sid=1218&gid=1&pgid=3509; or by phone at 1-888-800-9163).