Donn Fendler

LTC (Ret) Donn Charles Fendler, age 90, died on October 10, 2016 at Eastern Maine Medical Center.
Visitation will be from 3-5:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 16, 2016 at McReynolds-Nave & Larson Funeral Home. Reading of the Rosary will be held at 5:30 p.m.
A Memorial Service will be held on Monday, October 17, 2016 at 11 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 709 Franklin Street, Clarksville, TN 37040, with Father Emmanuel Dirichukwu officiating.
He was born August 29, 1926 in New York City, NY and resided in Rye, N.Y. He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years, Maryrose K. Fendler, his father, Donald C. Fendler, his mother, Ruth R. Fendler and his sister, Patricia Faunce. Survivors include son, Dennis K. Fendler, Nashville, TN; daughters, Judith A. King, Cary, N.C.; Bridget M. Fendler, Clarksville, TN; Joan M. Fendler, Guthrie, KY, and six grandchildren, one great-grandson and two brothers, two sisters, and numerous nephews and nieces.
He attended Iona Prep School, New Rochelle, N.Y. and Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield, Maine. He graduated from New Hampton Prep School in New Hampton, N.H., and also from Benedictine College in Atchison, KS and from the Command and General Staff College in Leavenworth, KS.
He served with the U.S. Navy (CB) for two years in WWII serving in the Philippines and China. He then served with the U.S. Army for 28 years serving in Germany, Vietnam (two tours) and Korea. He retired with a total of 30 years of service and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.
He has spent the last 30+ years enjoying his time (Summer/fall) in Newport, Maine on Lake Sebasticook. He enjoyed fishing, boating, working out, and reading. His greatest love was to visit schools and organizations around the country; especially Maine, and talk to the young and adults about his experience when he was lost on Mount Katahdin (Baxter State Park in Millinocket, ME) and in the Maine woods. Meeting Mainers, young and old, was his sole desire.
He was co-author of the book, “Lost on a Mountain in Maine” and author of “Lost Trail,” a graphic novel. He also answered hundreds of letters over the years from around the country and the world.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial may be made to the Newport Cultural Center, Main Street, Newport, ME 04953 (phone: 207-368-5747); the Pittsfield Library, Main Street, Pittsfield, ME (phone: 207-487-5880), or the Cole Land Museum, 405 Perry Lane, Bangor, ME 04401 (phone: 207-990-3600, ext. 13).