1922
Donald
2017
Donald F. Rutter
April 7, 1922 — December 10, 2017
Donald F, Rutter, 95, of Upper Tulpehocken Twp., passed away Saturday, night in the Reading Hospital.
He was married to the late Mary A. (Eisenhower) Rutter who passed away November 24, 2006.
Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Earl and Esther (Sheip) Rutter.
Born April 7, 1922 he joined the Army and was accepted into paratrooper training in February of 1942. He served with the 505th Parachute Infantry, HQ Company, of the 82 Airborne under General James Gavin.
During WW II he completed 3 combat jumps including Sicily, Salerno, and Ste. Marie Eglise on D-day, June 6, 1944, where after fighting outside the town, his small unit was over whelmed by the Germans.
Donald was captured north of Saint Marie Eglise and spent 10 months as a POW at Stalag 4B near the Czech border.
He went on to serve his country for over 23 years.
Donald is the recipient of the Bronze Star.
As a legacy member of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, Don awarded parachute badges to graduating members of its airborne course in Frederick, OK.
He toured with the Dog Tag Tours to Normandy, Sicily and other European destinations.
He enjoyed bowling, swimming at Body Zone, fishing, and hunting.
Surviving is a sister, Jane Sadlowski of Laureldale.
He is predeceased by siblings, Virginia, Shirley, Beverly, Phyllis, Margaret, Earl, Jr., and Larry.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 11 am in the Kirkhoff Funeral Home, 206 N. Main St., Bernville, PA, with Reverend Inge M. Williams officiating.
A viewing will be held on Saturday morning from 10 am until time of service in the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Friedens Church Cemetery in Shartlesville where military honors will be performed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 301 S. 5th St., Reading, PA 19601 and the Humane Society, 1801 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19604.
He was married to the late Mary A. (Eisenhower) Rutter who passed away November 24, 2006.
Born in Reading, he was the son of the late Earl and Esther (Sheip) Rutter.
Born April 7, 1922 he joined the Army and was accepted into paratrooper training in February of 1942. He served with the 505th Parachute Infantry, HQ Company, of the 82 Airborne under General James Gavin.
During WW II he completed 3 combat jumps including Sicily, Salerno, and Ste. Marie Eglise on D-day, June 6, 1944, where after fighting outside the town, his small unit was over whelmed by the Germans.
Donald was captured north of Saint Marie Eglise and spent 10 months as a POW at Stalag 4B near the Czech border.
He went on to serve his country for over 23 years.
Donald is the recipient of the Bronze Star.
As a legacy member of the WWII Airborne Demonstration Team, Don awarded parachute badges to graduating members of its airborne course in Frederick, OK.
He toured with the Dog Tag Tours to Normandy, Sicily and other European destinations.
He enjoyed bowling, swimming at Body Zone, fishing, and hunting.
Surviving is a sister, Jane Sadlowski of Laureldale.
He is predeceased by siblings, Virginia, Shirley, Beverly, Phyllis, Margaret, Earl, Jr., and Larry.
He is survived by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.
A funeral service will be held on Saturday, December 16th at 11 am in the Kirkhoff Funeral Home, 206 N. Main St., Bernville, PA, with Reverend Inge M. Williams officiating.
A viewing will be held on Saturday morning from 10 am until time of service in the funeral home.
Interment will follow in Friedens Church Cemetery in Shartlesville where military honors will be performed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Salvation Army, 301 S. 5th St., Reading, PA 19601 and the Humane Society, 1801 N. 11th St., Reading, PA 19604.
Service Details
11:00am, Kirkoff Funeral Home
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