Donald Wayne Lingenfelter

Donald Wayne Lingenfelter

October 30, 1940 ~ May 10, 2025

Donald Wayne Lingenfelter, 84, of Martinsburg, formerly of Bellwood, passed away Saturday evening, May 10, 2025 at The Village at Morrisons Cove, after an extended illness.

He was born on October 30, 1940, in Martinsburg, the oldest son of Calvin S. and Thelma Louise (Snoberger) Lingenfelter.  On April 24, 1964 he married Ethel M. Stern in Winchester, VA.

Surviving are his beloved wife, Ethel of 61 years; three sons and their families: Michael W. and wife, Bonnie of Duncansville, Brian K. and wife, Faye of Dover, DE and Douglas R. and wife, Susan of Culpeper, VA; four grandchildren: Carson and Jackson of Culpeper, VA, Joshua Bookhamer and wife, Chelsea and a great-grandson, Cooper of Roaring Spring and Jizelle Durkin and husband, Tom of Portland, OR; three sisters-in-law: Mary E. Hinish of Curryville and Marcia K. Reffner and husband, Harry of Bedford and Linda A. Stern of Gainesville, VA; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, in 1972, mother, in 1988 and his only sibling, Roy Allen Lingenfelter of Baltimore, MD in 1998.

Don was a 1958 graduate of Morrisons Cove High School, Martinsburg.

After high school, he was employed by the Blatchford Furniture Company of Altoona and then, the D. M. Bare Paper Company of Roaring Spring, where he was assigned to the Accounting and IBM Departments.  Don also served as the section Assistant Fire Chief for the mill.  In 1964, he started what would become a 40 year career with Sears, Roebuck and Company of Altoona.  With Sears, Don started at their original downtown Altoona location, 1425 11th Ave., and then the Logan Valley Mall.  Over his 40 years with Sears, he served in a variety of positions including: The Accounting Department, Manager of the Shipping, Receiving Department, Appliance Sales and new stores opening teams, where he traveled the East Coast.

Starting at a young age, Don was highly active in the community and in public service.  While living in Martinsburg, he was a member of the Memorial Church of the Brethren.  At the age of 16, he joined the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department and held the ranks/offices of secretary, financial secretary, Fire Police Captain and Assistant Fire Chief.  Don was always an active member, whether he was running calls for service, assisting with fund raising, or taking classes on fire fighting and fire and rescue operations.  He served as a police officer with the Martinsburg Borough Police Department, starting in 1964 and had been appointed as a Deputy Sheriff with Blair County.  Two highlights of his police service include the apprehension of a burglary suspect from the locally famed Allegheny Airlines terminal building burglary as well as being part of the search party in Shade Gap, concerning the abduction of Peggy Ann Bradnick.  Additionally, Don served as a member of the Martinsburg Borough Council, Boy Scout Troop Leader and was a member of the Lions Club.

In 1979, Don and his family moved to Bellwood, where he became an active member with the Excelsior Volunteer Fire Department, Bellwood Ambulance Association, Lions Club and served a term on the Borough Council.  In 1986, he was recognized by the Central PA Allied Firemen’s Association, as fireman of the month.  Don was also recognized by the Blair County-Altoona Emergency Management Agency in 1986, for 25 years of service, citing that in October 1960, he joined the Civil Defense as an auxiliary police officer, in September 1961, Don was appointed as the Civil Defense Director for the Borough of Martinsburg, Huston, and North Woodbury Townships, and in 1979, he was appointed as the Emergency Management Director for the Borough of Bellwood and Antis Township, a position he served in for the many years that followed.

Following his retirement from Sears, Don pursued his lifelong passions, which included the meticulous collection and restoration of antique tools.  He found enjoyment in attending local auctions and nurturing his model railroading hobby, a cherished interest that began in his childhood with his father.  Don also maintained a heartwarming annual tradition of gifting Lionel Trains.  In his leisure, he valued conversations with friends and above all, time spent with family.  A lifelong learner, Don was an avid reader of publications related to the outdoors, firearms and current events, always embracing opportunities for continued education.

In 2024, he and Ethel moved to the Graystone Apartments in Roaring Spring.  In 2025, Don transitioned to The Village at Morrisons Cove nursing home facility in Martinsburg.

Friends will be received from 2-4 and 6-8pm, Monday, May 19, 2025 at John K. Bolger Funeral Home Inc., Martinsburg and from 11am until 12noon, Tuesday, May 20, 2025 at the funeral home, where a funeral service will begin at 12noon,  Chaplain Patrick Traxler officiating.  Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery, Martinsburg with Fire Department Honors and representatives of local public service.

Memorial contributions in Don’s memory may be given to the Martinsburg Volunteer Fire Department, Bellwood Excelsior Volunteer Fire Department, Blair County Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Foundation, John’s Way Medical Equipment Ministry or the charity of your choice.

The family extends their thanks to all of Don’s good friends and extended family, who have reached out to lend support during this difficult time.