Donald V. Mehring was born April 3, 1929 in Butte, MT, the son of Victor A. and Mabel D. Mehring. He attended grade school in Butte, MT and graduated from Jefferson High School in Boulder, MT. Donald married Patricia McEachern on June 26, 1948 at St. Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church in East Helena, MT. They celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary in June 2013.
Don enlisted in the 3669th Ordinance Company, Montana National Guard in April 1948 and received his commission in 1952 while assigned to the Ordinance Company. He transferred to the Montana Air National Guard 120th Fighter Interceptor Group in Great Falls, MT when the group was originally formed in 1956 and held several positions including assistant logistics officer, air examiner, and clerk technician. Lt. Colonel Donald Mehring was employed by the United States Property and Fiscal Office in Helena, MT as a full time procurement officer in 1964 and was in that position until his retirement on October 31, 1980. Don completed 32 years of military service.
Don was an active member of St. Helena Cathedral since 1956. He served as the last president of the Helena Catholic Central High School Booster Club. He was a member of the Bill Roberts Golf Course for many years until his health forced him to ‘retire’ from golf; the Retired Officers Association; the Air Force Association; American Association of Retired Persons; the National Active and Retired Federal Employees Association; Helena Senior Citizens; Mountain West Bank Summit Club, Live at the Civic; and Kiwanis Travel and Adventure.
Don and Pat loved traveling and they visited many countries throughout the world including South America, eastern and western Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the British Isles, and the Baltic Capitols of the world. They also travelled extensively throughout the US and particularly enjoyed Alaska, Hawaii, and a fall foliage tour of eastern US states.
Don enjoyed fishing, hunting, working in his yard, golfing, bowling, playing cards, camping, and being with family and friends.
Survivors include his wife, Patricia, at the family home, his daughter, Dr. Teresa (Tes) Mehring (Olathe, KS), long time friend, Dr. Alison Banikowski, sister –in-law Wilma McEachern (Clancy, MT), and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian burial celebrating Don’s life will be concelebrated by Monsignor Kevin O’Neill and nephew Fr. John Greene (San Francisco, CA) at noon on Thursday, January 16, at the Cathedral of Saint Helena. After a luncheon at the Cathedral, burial with military honors will follow at the Montana State Veterans Cemetery at Ft. Harrison at 3 pm.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Montana Veterans Cemetery, PO Box 5715, Helena, MT 59604, Cathedral of Saint Helena 530 North Ewing St., Helena, MT 59601, or an organization of the donor’s choice.To offer the family a condolence or to share a memory of Don please visit below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Cathedral of Saint Helena
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Mass to Approximately 1:30 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Brondel Center/Lower Level of the Cathedral
Helena, Montana
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
Service Schedule
Funeral Mass
12:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Cathedral of Saint Helena
Helena, Montana
Funeral Reception
Immediately following the Funeral Mass to Approximately 1:30 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Brondel Center/Lower Level of the Cathedral
Helena, Montana
Burial with Military Honors
3:00 p.m.
Thursday January 16, 2014
Montana State Veterans Cemetery
Fort Harrison, Montana
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Patrick Greene says
I have fond memories of the Greene family vacations every other year to Montana. We would visit with our relatives the Delaneys and Greens in Butte, the McEacherns in Clancy and the Mehrings in Helena. My Uncle Don would make sure that all the family went on a picnic while we were there. Whether it was the 7-up dude ranch, the Boulder Hot Springs or Park Lake, we always knew we had an adventure ahead of us. I vividly remember one summer Don had a boat he was immensely proud of and he decided to take my dad out for the ride of his life with my dad on skis. I think that day my dad swallowed about a third of Park Lake.
No one could scramble eggs liken Don and his presence amongst us will be missed.
Patrick Greene
Vacaville, California
Lue Balkema says
Pat
I am so sorry to hear about Don. He will be missed. I think back of the many fun
times we had. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and Tes.
Chris Vitt says
Don will be very missed and often remembered. It was fun getting to know him during the times that he and Pat would visit Tes in Kansas City. Don, how can we ever forget your famous ‘domine Nabisco’ joke?
Courtney greene says
Uncle don be truly missed he’s now up in heaven where angels are now watching over him I love you and miss him very much even though we didnt always get along to we’ll
Brewer Children says
Pat and Family, We all want you to know how sad we were to read about Don. We have lots of fond memories of you as we grew up.
Susan and Bob Andersen
Marilyn and Dave Miller
Linda Collier
George Brewer
Reg and Kathleen Brewer
Pam Brown says
Dear Friends, Kevin & Madeline ~
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your very dear cousin, Don. Although I have never met Don, he seemed like a very nice man and I know you both thought the world of him.
Know that my thoughts and Prayers are with you at this very difficult time. i know how you are feeling and hope the memories help heal your Hearts in time.
May God Bless,
Pam
Sally Nyland says
Pat and Family:
Please accept my condolences in the passing of Don. My thoughts are with you and family at this difficult time. I’m so glad that I was able to visit with you and Don recently at Costco.