Donald H. Lauer Jr.

Captain Donald H. Lauer, Jr. Captain Donald H. Lauer, Jr. passed away on May 11, 2009, surrounded by his loving family. Don was born on October 28, 1928 in Battle Creek, Michigan to Donald H. and Frances H. (Coleman) Lauer, Sr. He graduated from W.K. Kellogg High School in Richland Michigan, where he was active in athletics. He worked for Michigan Carton Company. In November of 1950, he took basic training in Camp Atterbery in Indiana. He was promoted to PFC in April of 1951 and to Corporal in August 1951. He was a member of the 486 Transportation Truck Company and was sent to Germany in November of 1951. He was promoted to Staff Sergeant in December of 1951. He was discharged from the army in November 1952 and returned to Michigan Carton Co. He joined the Battle Creek Fire Department on December 13, 1954, as a firefighter. He graduated from Kellogg Community College with an Associates Degree in Fire Science. He was promoted to Training Officer on March 4, 1970 and was the first full time Training Officer for the Battle Creek Fire Dept. He retired from the Fire Department in 1984. He was appointed to the Great Lakes Fire Training Institute at Kellogg Community College to build a Fire Training Center. After retirement he went on to work at the Binder Park Zoo as a Tram Driver and retired again on July 30, 2004. Don married Doris V. Hines on October 28, 1950 in Battle Creek. They have two children, Don (Julie) Lauer and Valerie (Sherry) Lauer; two granddaughters, Amanda (Jason) Lehman and Ella Lauer. He was preceded in death by his parents; a brother, William Lauer and a sister, Beverly M. Thomas. At the request of the family, friends may call after 6:00 p.m. Thursday at the Farley-Estes & Dowdle Funeral Home where they will be received 6:00-8:00 p.m. Funeral services to celebrate Don's life will be held at the funeral home 1:30 p.m. Friday, May 15, 2009. Military honors will be provided by the Battle Creek Fire Department and Ft. Custer Honor Guard at Ft. Custer National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be given to the American Cancer Society, Bronson Hospital Burn Center or Unity of Kalamazoo. Personal messages for the family may be placed at www.farleyestesdowdle.com.