Sunday, July 26, 2009

Donald Paul Heming 2002

Donald Paul Heming, 71, of Traverse City, formerly of Port Huron, died Tuesday at home.  Born Sept. 19, 1930, in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, he was the son of Chester B. and Eva Winifred (Foote) Hemming.



Don Heming lived most of his life in Traverse City, enjoying several entrepreneurial successes, one of them Traverse City's very first car wash. A native of Southern Michigan, though born across the Detroit River in Sarnia Ontario, Don moved to Traverse City with his new wife in 1952, after being discharged from the U.S. Army.

Don served his country honorably in the Army for four years in Japan 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 as the Yalu River on the Chinese border. Although he, like many veterans, did not often choose to discuss the war, when encouraged, Don would describe the long march north in winter with summer issue uniforms brought from Japan. He served two years in Korea, returning unharmed to Michigan where he met and married the former Jean F. Kane.

Professionally, Don has owned several businesses in Traverse City associated with automotive care, and sold insurance as an independent agent. His last business, his snow removal service, coexisted with many of his other interests, finally being sold at his retirement a few years ago. Don is fondly remembered for his dedication to the Masonic Lodge.

Having originally taken degrees in 1957, Don, a lifelong member of Traverse City Lodge No. 222, was affiliated with all York and Scottish Rite bodies, Saladin Temple, AAONMS, and the High Twelve Club of Traverse City. Don served as Master of Lodge 222 in 1964, and president of the Cherryland High Twelve Club in 1967. He was a 32nd Degree Mason, and enjoyed his proudest moment on becoming Most Worshipful Grand Master of the Masonic Lodge of Michigan in 1987.

Mrs. Heming survives him after fifty years of marriage in June of this year. Together, they raised five children, Jeffrey (Kathy) Heming of Southlake, Texas, Donna Marie of Mason, Ohio, Pamela (Thomas) Park of Traverse 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 Methodist Church, 222 Cass St., Traverse City, on Friday, July 26, 2002, at 7:00 p.m. The service will feature a Masonic candlelight ceremony conducted by Richard Sands, past Grand Master of the Michigan Masonic Lodge, followed by a service officiated by the Rev. John Ellinger. Memorial contributions may be directed to Munson Hospice, 1105 Sixth 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 in Traverse City.



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