Donavin
Donavin S. Gratz
Donavin S. Gratz, 93, of Lancaster, died Tuesday, June 26th, 2012 at Hospice of Lancaster County. He was the husband of Gayle Amstutz Gratz for 71 years. Born in Bluffton Ohio, he was the son of the Late Homer S. and Edna Badertscher Gratz.
Donavin graduated from Bluffton, High School, attended Bluffton College where he later became a trustee, and then transferred to Ohio State University where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He was a member of First Mennonite Church Bluffton.
In 1939 he moved to Souderton, PA where he was employed by Groff Candy Company. He married Gayle Amstutz in 1940 and became a business partner with Newton Clemens of PA Dutch Products Co., Souderton, PA.
From 1944-1946 Donavin became a Naval Aerial Photographer in Pensacola, FL, going on to San Diego, CA aboard the U.S.S. Klondike until the end of World War II.
Returning to Souderton, he was a member of the Zion Mennonite Church, a 32nd degree Mason of the Mac Calla Lodge, an active member of the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club. An avid golfer, he was a charter member of the Indian Valley Club of Telford, PA and Doylestown Golf Club.
In 1954, Donavin and his family moved to Lancaster where he continued his partnership with PA Dutch Products and became Executive Vice President in charge of sales for Charles Potato Chips. He became a pilot, flying his own plane across the country acquiring and guiding 164 franchise dealers in 44 states. He was known as “The Chipper.” Donavin was a member and elder of First Reformed Church. In 1992 he became a member of the Neffsville Mennonite Church until his death.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. Donavin was a member of the Lancaster Country Club serving on The Greens Committee for many years and President from 1977-1979.
Donavin is survived by his wife, Gayle Amstutz Gratz, his daughter, Jane K., wife of George Knerr of Lancaster, PA; Daughter-in Law, Barbara A. Blake of Stone Harbor, N.J.; two sisters, Margaret Detwiler of Toledo, OH, Joan Slotter of Castle Rock, CO; 3 Grandchildren; seven Great-Grandchildren; and two Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Donavin was preceded in death by his son, Brett Alan; two brothers, Homer Jr. and Russell; and a sister Kathleen.
His family and friends are thankful for the life of this beloved man.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
Donavin graduated from Bluffton, High School, attended Bluffton College where he later became a trustee, and then transferred to Ohio State University where he was a member of the Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity. He was a member of First Mennonite Church Bluffton.
In 1939 he moved to Souderton, PA where he was employed by Groff Candy Company. He married Gayle Amstutz in 1940 and became a business partner with Newton Clemens of PA Dutch Products Co., Souderton, PA.
From 1944-1946 Donavin became a Naval Aerial Photographer in Pensacola, FL, going on to San Diego, CA aboard the U.S.S. Klondike until the end of World War II.
Returning to Souderton, he was a member of the Zion Mennonite Church, a 32nd degree Mason of the Mac Calla Lodge, an active member of the Souderton-Telford Rotary Club. An avid golfer, he was a charter member of the Indian Valley Club of Telford, PA and Doylestown Golf Club.
In 1954, Donavin and his family moved to Lancaster where he continued his partnership with PA Dutch Products and became Executive Vice President in charge of sales for Charles Potato Chips. He became a pilot, flying his own plane across the country acquiring and guiding 164 franchise dealers in 44 states. He was known as “The Chipper.” Donavin was a member and elder of First Reformed Church. In 1992 he became a member of the Neffsville Mennonite Church until his death.
He was an avid hunter, fisherman and golfer. Donavin was a member of the Lancaster Country Club serving on The Greens Committee for many years and President from 1977-1979.
Donavin is survived by his wife, Gayle Amstutz Gratz, his daughter, Jane K., wife of George Knerr of Lancaster, PA; Daughter-in Law, Barbara A. Blake of Stone Harbor, N.J.; two sisters, Margaret Detwiler of Toledo, OH, Joan Slotter of Castle Rock, CO; 3 Grandchildren; seven Great-Grandchildren; and two Great-Great-Grandchildren.
Donavin was preceded in death by his son, Brett Alan; two brothers, Homer Jr. and Russell; and a sister Kathleen.
His family and friends are thankful for the life of this beloved man.
Private funeral services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, contributions in his memory may be made to Hospice of Lancaster County, P.O. Box 4125, Lancaster, PA 17604.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Donavin S. Gratz, please visit our flower store.
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