Donald David Grabner, 90 years old of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away at 9:45 p.m. on Monday, April 22, 2013 at his residence. Don was born on Friday, May 5, 1922 in Monroeville, IN the son of the late Grover C. Grabner and the late Leona (Leonard) Grabner. He married the late Mary Kathryn Beauchot on July 28, 1945 in Fredericksburg, VA, and she passed away on December 15, 2011. Don was a member of St. Rose Catholic Church, Monroeville where he was the sexton for the cemetery for many years; American Legion Post #420 Monroeville and V.F.W. Post #10205 where he served on the combined Color Guard for many years. During his years of membership at the VFW, he was elected commander of the post. Don was also Grand Marshall of the 2007 Monroeville Harvest Festival Parade. He was the State Inspector of the American Blue Gascon Hound Association. An avid sportsman, Don developed a passion for coon hunting and enjoyed that activity throughout his life. But Don's favorite past time was baseball. Don was a player in the Federation Baseball League in Ft. Wayne from 1939 to 1942. After his return from military service during World War II, Don continued his passion for baseball by becoming involved as a coach as well as a player in the Monroeville area. For almost 20 years, Don volunteered as the Assistant Baseball Coach at Heritage High School. In 2002, he was the Indiana High School State Baseball Assistant Coach of the Year. A volunteer in the community, Don was awarded the East Allen County Schools Golden Apple Award for community service in 2003. Don served his country in the United States Marine Corps during World War II, rising to the rank of Staff Sergeant. He served in the South Pacific and following his service, he always wore the #4 on his baseball uniforms in honor of the 4th Marine Defensive Air Wing in which he honorably served. In 2009, Don went with the Northeast Indiana Honor Flight to tour the World War II Memorial in Washington DC; he greatly enjoyed this trip. Don was employed for 33 years at the Phelps Dodge / Indiana Rod and Wire Company in Ft. Wayne where he was head of maintenance. Don graduated in 1940 from the Monroeville High School. Surviving are his daughter, Annette K. (Samuel) May of Ft. Wayne, IN; daughter, Mary Jo "Jody" (Dennis) Linder of Monroeville, IN; daughter, Susann Gilbert of Portland, IN; daughter, Kathy M. (Pierre) de Calonne of Ft. Wayne, IN; daughter-in-law, Sheryl Grabner of Ft. Wayne, IN; sister, Audrey Swanson of Duluth, MN; brother, Lindy Grabner of Monroeville, IN; brother, Loren (Colleen) Grabner of Monroeville, IN; sister, Sharon Sue (Richard) Darras of Monroeville, IN; eleven grandchildren, and twenty-one great-grandchildren. Preceding Donald in death were one son, Dennis J. Grabner in 1997; three brothers, Dale, Charles "Dick", and Arnold Grabner; one sister, Eileen Sloan; one son-in-law, John Gilbert. A prayer service will be held at 9:25 a.m. Friday, April 26, 2013 at the Zwick and Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville, Indiana followed by a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial in the St. Rose Catholic Church with Fr. Lourdino Fernandes officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Rose Catholic Cemetery with Military Graveside services conducted by the American Legion Post #420 Monroeville Color Guard. Friends will be received from 1-8 p.m. Thursday, April 25, 2013 in the Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel, Monroeville, Indiana, and one hour prior to the prayer service Friday also at the funeral home. A Rosary service will be held at 4:00 p.m. Thursday at the funeral home. Preferred memorials are Masses to the church, St. Rose Centenary Project; or Donor's Choice.
