Don was born May 11, 1921 to Walter and Mabel Whomes in Bruce, WI, the second of Four children. When he was young the family moved to Michigan, where his Father was employed by Consumer Power. He was the engineer on the Hydroelectric plants on Tipee and Hodenppyl dams. Don attended schools in Messick. He went to Alma College for one year and transferred to the University of Michigan to study engineering. His schooling was cut short when his ROTC class was drafted into the U.S. Navy soon after Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. His ROTC training qualified him to enter the service as a lieutenant.
Don was a damage control officer assigned to the destroyer U.S.S Albert W. Grant DD-649. The Grant engaged in combat in the Pacific theater. Don’s ship was involved in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, which was the largest naval battle in U.S. History on Oct. 23-26, 1944. Don’s ship fought well and helped to sink one of the large Japanese Aircraft carriers, but his S destroyer was severely damaged from shells from both American and Japanese ships. Many sailors were killed in the dark of the night, but Don was unscathed. The ship nearly went down, but divers patched holes well enough for it to be towed to the Pearl Harbor and eventually Mare Island. The ship spent three months getting repaired. When it was complete Don was sent back to sea. He remained on the U.S.S Albert Grant for the duration of his enlistment. The military did not recognize the deep psychological wounds of war inflicted on soldiers, sailors and airmen. Dad clearly suffered from PTSD from this dreadful battle…too much for a 23-year-old mind. He returned home to Michigan.
Don’s sister invited him to join her and her husband in Hawthorne, NV. While there he met a wonderful nurse, Willetta Rinehart. They married in August of 1949. The young couple settled in Fallon where Don worked as maintenance and repair for the Churchill Public School District. Willetta was the Administrator at Churchill Public Hospital. They had two children, Roger born in 1955 and Lisa in 1958. The family moved to Reno in 1971. Willetta was the OR supervisor at St. Mary’s Hospital and Don kept his job in Fallon until his retirement in 1989.
Don attended college, served his country well, built a house raised a family, educated two children. He enjoyed his children and grandchildren. I would describe Dad as having no need for himself. He was a true giver. He cared so much for everyone in his family. Truly selfless.
Don passed away on June 27th, 2018 at the age of 97 at his home. Don is survived by his daughter, Lisa Merrill; son-in-law Mike; grandchildren: Megan, Matthew, John, Kathryn, Gregory and Jack. He is survived by a sister, Carol in Sacramento. Don was a favorite Uncle to many nieces and nephews.
A Rosary will be held for Don at St. Albert the Great Catholic Church at 6pm in Thursday, July 26th, 2018. A Funeral Mass will be Celebrated at 11AM on Friday, July 27th at St. Albert’s Catholic Church. A reception will follow.
The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the National Alliance of Mental Illness. Donations can be made in Don’s name and sent to: NAMI, P.O. BOX 49104, Baltimore, ND 21294. Please include Don’s name on the subject line of the check. The family invites you to leave a condolence message on the book of memories at: www.waltonsfuneralhomes.com

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