DONALD B. ANDERSON

Donald B. Anderson, age 85, of Columbia City, Ind., died at 6:09 a.m., Sunday, September 11, 2011 at Visiting Nurse and Hospice Home, Fort Wayne.Born on May 3, 1926, he was the son of the late Earl and Mary Katherine (Blain) Anderson.

Donald moved from Butler, Ind. to Columbia City in 1942 and has made this area his home since.He graduated from Columbia City High School with the Class of 1944.He then enrolled in the US Army where he served his country in World War II in both the European and African Theater.He worked at various auto dealerships in the service department, retiring after 25 years from Don Ayres, Fort Wayne. On January 21, 1984 he married Betty (Lehman) Pletcher at the First Church of God, Columbia City, Ind.He was a member of First Church of God.

He is survived by his wife of 27 years, Betty Anderson of Columbia City; son, John Ed (Sharon) Pletcher of Columbia City; daughters, Diane (James) Snider of Columbia City and Mary (Alvin) Gillespie of Fort Wayne, Ind.; a brother, Roger (Jeanette) Anderson of Omaha, Neb.; 14 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren.He was preceded in death by his parents and two brothers, Robert and William Anderson.

A graveside service will be held on Wednesday, September 14, 2011 at 12:00 p.m. at Oak Grove (Compton) Cemetery, 1970 East Keiser Road, Columbia City.Pastor Johnny McCallister of First Church of God will officiate.Donations in memory of Mr. Anderson can be made to Cancer Services of Northeast Indiana.Envelopes will be available at the graveside service as well as at the funeral home.