Donald “Don” R. Hevener

November 07, 2025

Donald “Don” R. Hevener, 89, went home to be with his Lord on November 7, 2025. He passed peacefully, surrounded by his loving family. Don was born in August 1936 in Lititz PA to the late Reverend Ollie and Gaynelle Hevener. He graduated from Manheim Central High School in 1954. Don met his one and only, his beloved wife Doris (nee Canning) Hevener at Mount Hope Diner at the age of 19. They married in 1958.

Don always dedicated himself to hard work. His first job, at the age of 12, was harvesting tobacco for a neighboring farmer. In his late teens, he became a long-haul trucker, transporting potatoes and tomatoes up and down the east coast, from Maine to Florida. He worked for Wilbur Chocolate Factory and was also a machinist at Alcoa Aluminum, Inc. He served as the stone salesman at Rohrer’s Quarry for 30 years, retiring in 2001. True to his hard-working nature, he continued his working career after retirement as a driver at the Manheim Auto Auction before finally leaning into full time retirement at the age of 83 in 2019.

Don loved to keep himself busy around the house as well, whether working in his woodshop, doing home repairs, tending to his yard and garden, listening to his beloved country music, or playing his steel guitar at high volume. He and his wife Doris had many adventures over the years. They visited Switzerland, Italy and France and traveled extensively across the US and Canada with friends on their touring motorcycles. Summer family vacations to Sea Isle City, NJ, Bridgeton, Maine, and the Crystal Coast of North Carolina will always be fondly remembered.

Don was a member of Burning Hearts Community Church. The central pillar throughout his life was his unwavering faith. He was a loving and easy-going man, caring and compassionate while never compromising his principles. He exemplified strength and kindness and never wanted anyone to make a fuss about him. Don made friends wherever he went and could converse with anyone, young or old, with warmth and sincere interest. In other words, Don never met a stranger. He was an incredible role model, mentor, supporter and teacher to his children.

Don’s heart was his family. He was preceded in death by his father Reverend Ollie Hevener, his mother Gaynelle Hevener, his brother Samuel Hevener and sisters Lois Clugston (Merle) and Carol Hevener. He is survived by his loving wife of 67 years, Doris, his children Kathleen Deininger, Donald W. Hevener, and Marcyl Hevener, his sister Mary Mast (Wayne), his dear grandchildren Brittany Velazquez (Alex), Ryan Deininger (Toni), Jourdan Hevener, Nicholas Deininger, Erin Deininger, and great-grandchildren Cole, Brody, Wynne, Josephine, Lincoln, Vivienne, Brooks and Aspyn.

The family wishes to extend our great appreciation to Don’s wonderful caregivers at the memory care unit of Oak Leaf Manor North in Landisville, PA.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Donald’s funeral service at Spacht-Snyder Funeral Home, 127 South Broad Street, Lititz, PA 17543, on Friday, November 14, 2025, at 11:00 AM. Friends may visit with the family from 10:00 AM until the time of service. Interment will be in Longenecker’s Cemetery, Lititz. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.