Served in the Korean War.
TRAVERSE CITY - Donald Paul Heming, 71, of Traverse City, formerly ofPort Huron, died Tuesday at home.
Born Sept. 19, 1930, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, he was the son ofChester B. and Eva Winifred (Foote) Heming.
Don Heming lived most of his life in Traverse City, enjoyingseveral entrepreneurial successes, one of them Traverse City's very firstcar wash. A native of Southern Michigan, though born across the DetroitRiver in Sarnia Ontario, Don moved to Traverse City with his new wife in1952, after being discharged from the U.S. Army.
Don served his country honorably in the Army for four years inJapan as a military policeman and later in Korea when war broke out.
Don, as a part of the U.S. Army Signal Corps, advanced as far asthe Yalu River on the Chinese border. Although he, like many veterans,did not often choose to discuss the war, when encouraged, Don woulddescribe the long march north in winter with summer issue uniformsbrought from Japan. He served two years in Korea, returning unharmed toMichigan where he met and married the former Jean F. Kane.
Professionally, Don has owned several businesses in Traverse Cityassociated with automotive care, and sold insurance as an independentagent. His last business, his snow removal service, coexisted with manyof his other interests, finally being sold at his retirement a few yearsago. Don is fondly remembered for his dedication to the Masonic Lodge.
Having originally taken degrees in 1957, Don, a lifelong member ofTraverse City Lodge No. 222, was affiliated with all York and ScottishRite bodies, Saladin Temple, AAONMS, and the High Twelve Club of TraverseCity. Don served as Master of Lodge 222 in 1964, and president of theCherryland High Twelve Club in 1967. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, andenjoyed his proudest moment on becoming Most Worshipful Grand Master ofthe Masonic Lodge of Michigan in 1987.
Mrs. Heming survives him after fifty years of marriage in June ofthis year. Together, they raised five children, Jeffrey (Kathy) Heming ofSouthlake, Texas, Donna Marie of Mason, Ohio, Pamela (Thomas) Park ofTraverse City, Paul (Kathy) Heming of Mason, Ohio, and Valerie (Chris)Leach of Alexandria, Va.; brother, Wallace (Connie) Heming of Port Huron;and twelve grandchildren.
A memorial service will be held for Don at Central United MethodistChurch, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, on Friday, July 26, 2002, at 7:00p.m. The service will feature a Masonic candlelight ceremony conducted byRichard Sands, past Grand Master of the Michigan Masonic Lodge, followedby a service officiated by the Rev. John Ellinger.
Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 1105Sixth St., Traverse City, MI 49684, or the Masonic Foundation, 233 E.Fulton St., Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3270.
The family is being served by the Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home inTraverse City.
