Donald M. Mentzer

Surrounded by his family, Donald M. Mentzer of Richmond Hill, Georgia, passed away peacefully from this life and entered life eternal through faith in his Lord and Savior on Veterans Day 2023.
Don Mentzer was born on October 17, 1939, in Gary, Indiana, to the late George and Cinda Mentzer, and he died on November 11, 2023, at 84 years of age.
Don met the love of his life, Ann Cannon, while attending Indiana University. They were married on June 15, 1963, in Oak Park, Illinois, and subsequently embarked on a lifetime of adventure and a life together of over 60 years as husband and wife.
After graduating from Indiana University, Don Mentzer pursued his dream of becoming a commercial airline pilot.
Through sacrifice, determination and perseverance, he earned his private pilot's license, later his commercial rating, and became one of the "lowest time" pilots to be hired by a major airline. He had a storied career with Eastern Airlines and, after that, Flight Safety as an accomplished pilot and instructor.
Don loved flying. He also loved projects and his workshop, numerous tools and Popular Mechanics magazines can all attest to this fact.
Don Mentzer loved to figure out how things worked. He also loved studying history. He had an intelligent, analytical mind and with great focus, he applied his faculties to many pursuits.
His over-arching pursuit was knowing and making known Jesus Christ. In the spring of 1980, having recently moved to Roswell, Ga., Don Mentzer became the first in his immediate family to trust Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. He then made sure that his wife, Ann, and their children came to know Christ personally as well. Since that time, Don followed and served his Savior faithfully.
His greatest joys were his family, whom he loved spending time with, his menagerie of German Shepherd dogs throughout the years and his Savior Jesus Christ.
Don Mentzer is survived by his wife, Ann; sons, Brian, his wife, Amy, their children and grandchildren; Kurt and his children, Derek, his wife, Ashley, and their children. Also left to cherish his memory are members of the Cannon family, nieces, Joan and Julie; and nephew, David, and their families; as well as other extended family members and numerous friends.
A memorial service to celebrate his life will be held Wednesday, November 15th, at 11 a.m. at Corinth Baptist Church in Richmond Hill, Georgia.
Visitation will precede the memorial service from 10 a.m. until 11 a.m.
"For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain." Philippians 1:21 (NKJV)

Bryan County News
Tuesday, November 14, 2023
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