Obituary

Donald Wayne Mapes, 67, of Kendallville died Saturday, November 24, 2007, at 5:10 a.m. in Kendallville Manor HealthCare Center. He had been ill for several years.

He served in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1963, then enlisted in the U.S. Navy. He served in Quantanamo Bay, Cuba; in Adak, Alaska; and on several cruises in the Mediterranean Sea. He was stationed on the U.S. Wasp when the Gemini astronauts were picked up. He was an air traffic controller and instructor, retiring as Chief Petty Officer in 1980.

He then worked part-time at Berhalter-Hutchins Funeral Home and Atz Furniture, both in Kendallville. He was a member of the Disabled Veterans.

He was born May 7, 1940, in Kendallville to Indiana Poet Laureate, Arthur Franklin Mapes and Ruth (Acker) Mapes. On May 7, 1960, in Fort Wayne, he married Martha L. Rimmel.

Surviving are his wife, Martha L. "Marty" Mapes of Kendallville; one son, Keith Mapes of LaGrange; four sisters and one brother-in-law, Marilyn Barrett of Owensville, Indiana, Jean Frye, Darlene & Jerry Frye, and Marlene Mason, all of Kendallville; four brothers and sisters-in-law, Richard & Celine Mapes of Oceanside, California, Dean & Diane Mapes of Fremont, Indiana, Michael & Diane Mapes of Auburn, Indiana, and Howard & Cheryl Mapes of Kendallville. Additional survivors are three sisters-in-law and one brother-in-law, Bob & Cindy Miller of Fort Wayne, Marilyn Schaab of Fort Wayne, and Sandra Tharp of Phoenix, Arizona.

He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Rev. James A. Mapes, Sr.

Funeral services will be Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at 11 a.m. at the Young Family Funeral Home, Kendallville Chapel, 222 South State Street, Kendallville, Indiana. Burial will be in Lake View Cemetery at Kendallville. Casketbearers will be Todd Frye, David Frye, Arthur Mapes, II, Terry Napier, Jerry Napier, and Donald Papai.

Visitation will be Tuesday, November 27, 2007, from 2-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are to the donor's choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family at www.youngfamilyfuneralhome.com