Donald Holmes

Donald K. Holmes, age 82, of Coshocton, lost his battle with cancer and other complications on Sunday, February, 12, 2012. He was born in Canton, Illinois to the late Keith and Louise (Bordner) Holmes on July 24, 1929 and raised in Lewistown, Illinois, graduating from Lewistown Community High School in 1947. Don served in the United States Navy from 1948 to 1952, the last 25 months overseas during the Korean conflict. Upon discharge, he returned home and graduated from the University of Illinois with a degree in Mining Engineering. He was employed for 34 plus years by Peabody Coal Co. in various capacities and locations, retiring in Ohio in 1990. While in college he met Elaine Garbaciak and they were married June 23, 1956 in Chicago. After retiring, Don and Elaine started on trips that took them to all 50 states, and they took pictures of each capital building, resulting in a nice scrap book. Don was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Knights of Columbus, the VFW, KWVA, and the Moose Lodge. Along with his wife, Don is survived by his four daughters, Jacqueline Eizensmits of Marion, Donna (Mark) Bishop of Avon Lake, Jill (Phil) Brehm of Charlotte, NC, and Monica Holmes of Columbus; nine grandchildren; and one sister-in-law, Gloria Balis of California. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Wednesday, February 15, 2012 at 10:30 am, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church with Father Stephen Krile officiating. Burial will follow at Our Lady of Lourdes Cemetery where the Coshocton County Veterans Council will perform Military Honors. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday, February 14, 2012 from 5-8:00 pm at Given-Dawson Funeral Home, Coshocton, with a Christian Wake service starting at 7:45 pm. For those who wish, in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Don’s name to Sacred Heart Catholic Church, 805 Main Street, Coshocton, Ohio 43812. An online memorial can be viewed at www.given-dawsonfuneralhome.com.