Mr. Donald E. Pfeiffer  97 years, 10 months,  and 14 days departed this life on  January 21, 2018 at Life Care Center of Rochester.  He set his sights on his new Heavenly home, rejoicing to be reunited with his beloved Donabelle and his family that has gone before.

On March 7, 1920, in Nappanee, Donald Edwin Pfeiffer was born.  He was a treasured son of Clarence Edwin and Myrtle Hanes Morwiser Pfeiffer.  As one of eight siblings, growing up he shared his childhood with five sisters and two brothers.

Don Pfeiffer and Donabelle Eizinger were classmates attending the Tippecanoe High School.  It was during their sophomore year that they first became acquainted.  The summer prior to their senior year a mutual admiration became apparent. Don served his class as President during his junior and senior years.  With great pride they graduated together with their class  in May of  1938.  They continued to date while she attended Warren Beauty School in Ft. Wayne, graduated and apprenticed in Elkhart and Warsaw.

Prior to church, on Sunday, December 3, 1939, at 9:30 AM  in Tippecanoe,  in  the home of their minister Pastor John Burgess was the setting where Don married  his best friend and the love of his life, Donabelle.   They spent the day traveling and sight seeing in Chicago then returning home to Bourbon that evening. The  happy couple honeymooned in Niagara Falls for their second year anniversary.  This was just prior to the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor and the beginning of World War II.  Their union of  nearly 74 years, produced a beautiful daughter and two handsome sons. Over the years three  more generations were added to the family tree.

For nearly 66 years the Pfeiffer 's lived in Newcastle Township and the Rochester community.  The Pfeiffer family farm encompassed 1000 acres planted in corn, soybeans, wheat, oats and peas.  There were up to 75  registered Holsteins to milk, 7 or 8 Black Angus, a few pigs and a variety of geese and chickens.  One year they enjoyed the company of some 4-H lambs.  In 1960 the milking operation ceased so the primary focus became the grain operations. Each year the family put out a huge garden that consisted of vegetables, flowers and strawberries.  The autumn brought on a bountiful harvest with Donabelle heading the freezing and canning department, making jams and jellies and preserving the produce for winter's use.  They also shared with many special friends.

A man of great faith, Don was a devoted member of the Bethlehem Baptist Church since 1948.  He held multiple positions of leadership thru the years including 9 years as Sunday School Superintendent, Deacon for 6 years, and Trustee for 12 years, then returning to many of these positions to help guide the church.  He was Past-President of the Men's Fellowship of the Logansport District of the American Baptist Church.  Don was always there to contribute with sweat equity with his tractor, mower and bucket.  He also  assumed additional farming to help pay for some of the churches needs over the years.

Making many contributions to our community, Don was an REMC board member from 1964 - 1994, past-presidents of the Farmer's Institute and Newcastle Farm Bureau (1948 - 1956) he later served as secretary/treasurer.  He served the Fulton County 4-H  members as President for a decade and during his tenure two new buildings were built.  Don was also a member of the  Farm Bureau Co-op Board, Pure Bred Livestock Board and was a charter member of the Talma Lion's Club.

The Pfeiffer 's were wonderful, ardent community supporters thru the decades. From 1944 - 1963, Don was courtside at the Talma Tiger's basketball team as the scorekeeper and statistician.  They were always there for their children, grandchildren and the "great-grands"  athletic events, music programs and concerts.  Don and Donabelle were avid Zebra season ticket holders.  Attending community dinners and visiting the  4-H Fair were events they enjoyed. In recent years they could be seen all about town dining out.

As the patriarch of the Pfeiffer family, Don was always there to share his love,  wisdom,and  give advice supporting the 5 generations he oversaw with his loving wife  Donabelle.  Together this dynamic duo, the true epitome of a gentleman and lady, set the BEST example for family, friends and acquaintances to follow:  a fairy tale life of nearly 74 years of love, dedication and devotion, sticking together as a team through the good times and some tough times too.  They always had a smile and exhibited a positive attitude as they persevered through each day.  This amazing couple was admired by all who had the luck to become acquainted with them.

Left to cherish Don's memory are  a daughter, Randy Hartman and husband Reg  of Warsaw;   two sons: Wally  Pfeiffer and wife Terri, and Mike Pfeiffer and wife Maureen,  all of Rochester; 8 grandchildren: Ed Pfeiffer and wife Wendy,  Bill Pfeiffer and wife Staci, Jody McCall and husband Matt, all of Rochester, Tammy Davis and husband Ray,  Chad Hartman and wife Heather, all of Warsaw, Cary Hartman and wife Michelle of Akron, Christina Sears and husband Jeff of Cicero, and Alison Pfeiffer of Rochester. He was blessed with 15 great grandchildren; two step-great granddaughters; two great-great grandchildren; two sisters:  Betty DeMein of North Manchester, Joan Tharp and husband Bob of South Bend; two sisters -in -law: Nanette Eizinger of Rochester, Marge Pfeiffer of Homosassa, FL; a brother-in-law, Keith Miller of Elkhart;  and several nieces and nephews who also survive.

Preceding Don in death are his parents, Clarence and Myrtle Pfeiffer; beloved wife Donabelle on August 5, 2013; a great grandson; three sisters: Marilyn Miller, Doris Grass, Helen DeMein; two brothers: Gene Pfeiffer and Lamar Pfeiffer; sister-in-law Jean Pfeiffer; and brother-in law Fred DeMein.

Pastor Phil Pratt will officiate services. Don  will be laid to eternal rest next to Donabelle in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.