Donald Peter Spiering Obituary (1917

Donald Peter "Don" Spiering, 89, a resident of the Newberg community died Sunday evening, January 7, 2007 at his home in Newberg. A Funeral Mass will be at 10:30 AM on Wednesday, January 10, 2007 at the St Francis Catholic Church in Roy, OR Christian Burial will take place immediately following the Funeral Mass to be held at the St Francis Catholic Cemetery, Roy, OR. Family and friends are invited to attend a reception following the burial rites to be held at the St Francis Catholic Grade School in Roy, OR Don was born on December 10, 1917 in Greenville, OR. He was the oldest of seven children born to George and Mary Vanderzanden Spiering. He was raised on a family farm in Roy and attended St Francis grade School and Banks Highs School. Don also earned a Bachelor of Science degree from Pacific University and a Masters of Education degree from the University of Oregon. Don entered the Army in 1935. He served his country in the Pacific theater and participated in battles of Saipan and Okinawa. He was the recipient of the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star, and Purple Heart. He was honorably discharged in December of 1945 as a 1st LT. He was united in marriage to Jean Ackerson on July 23, 1949. Following their marriage they made their home in Tillamook, OR in 1962 they moved to Beaverton, OR. Jean died in 1999 and Don continued to live in Beaverton until 2001 when he moved to Tualatin and then to Newberg in 2004. Don was an educator. He was principle of Tillamook High School from 1957 to 1962. He was also an activities director and teacher at Washington High School in Portland until his retirement in 1978. Following retirement Don's passion was with the MOWW (Military Order of World Wars) from which he was a member and also with the Pacific University Alumni as well as the Banks High School Alumni. He is preceded in death by his wife Jean, parents and three siblings. Survivors include his daughter and son-in-law; Colleen Spiering and Roy MacMillan of Newberg, a grandson; Joseph MacMillan of Newberg, OR., and three siblings; David Spiering of Forest Grove, OR, Norman Spiering of Beaverton OR. and Evelyn LaBella of Portland, OR., The family suggests contributions in Don's name to Pacific University Alumni Association, 2043 College Way, Forest Grove, OR 97116.