My family has always fondly called him Uncle Don, or ลุงดร. His deep connection to Thailand, shared with Aunt Janet, will always hold a special place in our hearts. His warm smile, unforgettable stories, generous spirit, and heart for service leave a lasting legacy. Our sincerest condolences to the Schlatter family. May he rest peacefully in heaven.

We always enjoyed talking to Don on his walks around  Mardego Hills neighborhood. Rest in peace. Larry and Sheila Schaeffer

Praise God for such faithful saints!  Don and Janet were always an inspiration to me with their selfless dedication and love for the Lawa people.  May God richly bless your family and continue to use you all for His glory!
With memories of Rochester Boot Camp 1972
Jan Conduff Crowley

It is a sad and happy day for me. Sad for all the dear family of Don and Janet  but happy for Don, united with a Janet and our Lord Jesus.
So many good memories one could write here.  I thank God for the good influence Don and Janet had on me, and on my children.
Wonderful times we had, with others, at their home in Maesarieng, Thailand.

Love to each family member,
Linda Roan

Greetings and sympathy to all the family, What a privilege and blessing to have known and worked on the field of Thailand with Uncle Don and Aunt Janet.  Even after I returned to the U.S. in 2019, Uncle Don continued to encourage with letters and phone calls.  What a beautiful couple and family - a godly example to all of us of humble and hard working service and love for our Lord.  Love to all in Jesus,  Karen (Huebner) Leair

Channels Only - Both Don and Janet
Living to know Jesus and that others may know Jesus too.
Lovers of God and of man. Both believers and non-believers.

We were asked to join the Training Center Team in late1998. I had the privilege to stay with Don and Janet, in their guest room about 10 times in early 1999 as we prepared the house, we would live in. 
We worked together with them until 2005 when they returned to the US. If Don knew I was sharing a list of things I saw in his life he would humbly say I was exaggerating. I will say this list could be much larger than what I can share here.

Don was a consistent student of God’s word. He was teachable.

He was a man who did more that ‘walk his talk.’ At times, you could hear and understand Don’s ‘talk’ about God through his ‘walk’ better than through his ‘talk.’

Don was a skilled interpreter - Almost like what he heard went in his ears and came out his mouth, clearly, at the same time, in another language.

He always had time for people. He would set aside what he was doing to talk to any who came to see him.

Don was an encourager – he has written us emails and called us many times every year to encourage us and thank us for the part we had at the training center and among the Lawa.

Don was an avid writer – letters, poems, stories, lessons, sermons.
He was a multitasker. He was artistic. He was disciplined, making the most of the time.
He used and developed the skills God gave him for all he did: Language learning (he was still learning in his 70’s when we met him), Bible Translation, lesson writing, teaching, designing teaching materials (posters, charts, models).

It was a privilege to work with Don and Janet.  To God be the Glory!

We will continue to pray for the family. 
May the God of all comfort , comfort you.

Don and Janet are wonderful examples for all of us. Their love for the unsaved and their labor of love to the Lawa are powerful testimonies to us who came after.  
When our son contracted malaria, Don wrote us a letter to encourage us to stay in Thailand. He was concerned we might return home and leave the ministry.  
We will miss them.

In September 1975 we could move into our house, and begin working with our Lawa
people. During that time Don made periodic visits (about monthly or bi-monthly) to
see how we were doing. This was very helpful because we had no co-workers like most
of the other tribal works had. We had designed our house such that it had a guest room
where he could sleep when he would stay overnight.
I do not remember the date, but one day Don had to go to Chiang Mai by bus, and on
the way back he stopped at our village since it was on the way. That particular time
Inge was very sick, and we should go to Maesariang to the hospital there. So, when Don
arrived at our place and saw how bad Inge was, he said: “You need to go to the hospital,
I will stay here and take care of your boys.” And so, we went out to the main road and
caught a ride on a logging truck, and Don stayed with the boys until we returned. Janet
was surprised that we arrived in Maesariang instead of Don, (remember, there were
no cell phones in those days) and after our doctor’s visit we could spend the night in
Don’s house.
So, if there is one thing I can say about Don, it is this: He was willing to help wherever
he sees a need, and does not look at the cost.

Don was a member of the Thai Field Committee since before we came to the field and has served in that position until into the 1990-ies when he asked to be freed from that task.
As a leader he was thoughtful and calm, never demanding but seeking to understand a situation as best as possible and suggesting a solution along that line. I know that because I served on the Thai FC from 1983 until 1986 together with Don and the other men who were part of it.

Don was a humble man of God who has earned the respect that we gave him as an Elder in our group of Thailand missionaries and as a spiritual father to all of us whose counsel we listened to.

Friedhard and Inge

What an honor and privilege to be co-laborers with Don & Janet on the field of Thailand.  We truly enjoyed their friendship and fellowship, especially during the times they visited us in the village as consultants for the Nyah Kur ministry. One of the most encouraging statements for living out our faith was stated to me by Don when he said, 'We dare not allow the decisions other people make to compromise our own walk with the Lord, lest we become embittered'. Such Godly advice! 

Praying for the whole Schlatter extended family at this time.

The older I get, the more friends and family I have in heaven....I am so thankful that our brother/colleague/fellow translator is now rejoicing in the presence of the Savior he loved so dearly--AND enjoying a glad reunion with his dear wife and many of his friends/colleagues/disciples [in the Lawa church] who went before him. Mary, I love you and pray for you as you walk through the valley of the shadow of death, fearing no evil, because the Lord is guiding and comforting you and  always coming after you with his goodness and mercy...Thank you for being your father's daughter--following in the footsteps of your dear parents who served the Lord so faithfully. It has been one of the great privileges of my life to consultant check just a bit of the NT that you and Clark loving labored over. What a legacy your dad leaves.

What an honor it was to be their partners at the training center. They served with humility and grace. Every morning they would eat their yogurt and fruit at their outdoor patio. There they prayed faithfully for people all around the world. As co-workers they modeled a teachable spirits when everything about their lives gave them the right to  boss these immature co-workers around. Faithful.  Plotters. Focused. Servants. What a legacy.

We still remember Uncle Don giving us a Thai Bible when we first came to Thailand and him welcoming us to the Thai field. That was 30 years ago. He was always such an encouragement to us.

OBITUARY

Donald Christian Schlatter

April 23, 1928 – March 5, 2025

D.O. McComb & Sons Funeral Homes - Pine Valley

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