"The deep pain that is felt at the death of every friendly soul arises from the feeling that there is in every individual something which is inexpressible, peculiar to him alone, and is, therefore, absolutely and irretrievably lost."Donald Elmer Kontur, 82, died August 2, 2010
"Beloved husband of Jessie (nee Miracle); loving father of Marie Lunsford, Anthony (Carol), Joseph (Cynthia), Theresa Duale, Rebecca (Marc) Sirna, Donald (Brenda), Jessie (Gerard) Lamarca, Mark (Anne), Matthew (Linda), John (Martha), Veronica (Michael) Krainz, Christopher (Patricia), Brenda (Kevin) Kotkowski, and the late Jeanette; dearest grandfather of 60; dear great grandfather of 17; brother of Catherine Backlay, Stephen and Albert (all deceased)."
As long as I can recall, my grandfather was my PenPal. Even though we lived on adjacent farms and could call each other or walk down the street, some of our best conversations were on paper. I saved every letter he ever wrote to me as a reminder that besides my parents, my grandpa was my biggest cheerleader.

My grandfather was an amazing man of faith, a father of 14, my confidant and a companion to my grandmother for nearly six decades. His absence makes this world an emptier place. In life he was a teacher and a believer. In death he has become an icon of what we should strive to attain in our own lives. In each of us, his legacy will continue.