Donald B. Hapner

HAPNER, Donald B, age 91, died Sunday evening, November 8, 2009 at Miami Valley Hospital after a short illness. Don was born June 17, 1918 in Dayton, OH and was employed by WHIO Radio for 46 years and retired as Chief Engineer in 1983. He was inducted into the WHIO Radio Hall of Fame in June 1995. Don also served in the United States Navy during WWII. Don was a long-time resident of Kettering and was known by many as "The Sunflower Man." He was preceded in death by his first wife, Marjorie and his second wife, Marie. He is survived by his sons Skip (Sue) Hapner of Tega Cay, SC, Ronald (Joyce) Hapner of Miamisburg and daughter Kyle (Gary) Martin of Palm Bay, FL; his step-children Gordon Dieterle of Kettering and Kathy Tenney of Camden, OH, grandchildren Tina Hapner of Chicago, Jennifer (Brian) Mahle of Springboro, William (Beverly) Hapner of Springboro, Michelle (Mark) Weber of Vandalia; Teresa (Steve) MacPherson of Fort Mill, SC, Aliesha (Chris) Perry of Titusville, FL, Kristopher Martin of Palm Bay, FL, Kimberlee Martin of Orlando, FL, step-grandchildren Cheryl Jameson, Keith Jameson, Deborah (Jeff) Coleman and Philip (Elizabeth) Dieterie, all of Dayton, OH. Don loved to tell everyone that he had 24 great grandchildren and he remembered each one of them at Christmas and on their birthdays. Don leaves behind close friends Rod and Lynn Springer and Carl and Karen Egger. He was a very social person and met regularly with members of his 1936 graduating class from Roosevelt High School, the Old Time Radio Club, the WHIO Retirees Club and ROMEO (Retired Old Men Eating Out) Group from the Lathrem Center in Kettering. At 91, Don was on the computer most days tracking his options. He loved traveling the last several years and visited several national parks, cruised to Alaska and toured the Canadian Rockies. Don will be greatly missed by his family and friends. The family would like to thank the Oncology Staff at Miami Valley Hospital for their compassionate care in his last days, and special thanks to Rev. Dr. Julia K. Wharff for her support. Don's family will receive friends on Thursday Nov. 12, 2009 from 5:00-7:00 pm at the Routsong Funeral Home, 2100 East Stroop Rd. at Woodman in Kettering. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 am Friday Nov. 13, 2009 at the Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church 4417 Bigger Road, Kettering, OH 45440. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church Ever Faithful Fund, in his memory. Condolences and other tributes may be sent to the family at www.routsong.com.

Funeral Home:
Kettering Routsong Funeral Home
2100 E. Stroop Rd.
Kettering, OH
US 45429