Donald Rider

Donald L. Rider, 89, of Newton died on Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012, at Skiff Medical Center in Newton.

A memorial service will be at 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 29, 2012, at the First Christian Church in Newton.  The family will greet friends after the service with a coffee time at the church. Memorials to the American Diabetes Association or the First Christian Church may be left at the church the day of the service.  The Wallace Family Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Donald, the son of Warren B. and Bonnie L. (Wyatt) Rider, was born on Feb. 6, 1923, in Newton. He graduated from Newton Senior High School. Donald was united in marriage with Violet Florence Dodd on Aug. 28, 1943, in Newton. He worked as a draftsman for Winpower, Parsons, Sunstran, and Boeing Aviation. Donald was a member of the First Christian Church. He always loved music and going to jams. Donald was in bands as a young boy and most recently was a member of the Senior Has Been. He also enjoyed working on genealogy. His entire life he did many remodeling and updating projects around his home.

Those left to honor Donald’s memory are his two sons, Ronald (Connie Sue) Rider of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Jeffery (Connie Jean) Rider of Newton; three grandchildren, Scott Rider of Portland, Ore., Andrea Berndt of Colorado Springs, Colo., and Megan Fields of Onalaska, Wis.; his two great-grandchildren, Gavin Gingrich and Archer Rider; dear friend, Gloria Welp; and his nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife, Violet in 2007; three sisters, Eva, Mary and Betty; and two brothers, Orrie and Robert.