Donald Neil Rentmeister

Donald Neil Rentmeister

SYRACUSE a€" Our loving Husband, Father, Grandfather, Great-grandfather, Brother and Friend, Donald Neil Rentmeister, returned to his Heavenly Father and his loving wife, Verlyn, on Thursday, June 3, 2010.

Don was born August 12, 1933 in Syracuse, UT, a son of Hilaire Evarist (Eli) and Della Zilla Criddle Rentmeister. He married his sweetheart, Verlyn Gittens, on September 7, 1951 in the Salt Lake LDS Temple. They were blessed with one daughter, before Verlyn''s death on December 16, 1952. Don was blessed to find another special sweetheart, Genene Gailey, and they were married on June 2, 1954 in the Logan LDS Temple. Together they were blessed with seven more children.

Don was raised on a farm and learned to work hard at a very early age. He attended Syracuse Elementary, North Davis Junior High, and Davis High School where math was his favorite subject. He worked at HAFB, then with Smedley Plumbing and Heating, becoming a co-owner of the business in 1968, with two cousins. He branched out in 1978, and formed his own company, Rentmeister Heating and Air Conditioning (now, Rentmeister & Co. Inc.), retiring in 2002.

Don was a valiant servant of our Heavenly Father and served in many callings in the LDS church. He enjoyed his time spent as bishop of the Syracuse 6th Ward, and talked highly of the members he served. He gave generously of his time and money, shoveling snow for widows of the ward, giving free service calls to those without means, counseling those with special concerns, and substituting for Santa Claus, as needs arose. He will be sorely missed.

Don faced many challenges in life, and grew stronger with each one, as he taught those around him to be grateful and positive for the things they had. Dad was proud of his heritage, and worked hard to preserve it. He enjoyed serving the citizens of Syracuse on the city council, through the museum committee, and enjoyed making rugs, hats, scarves, afghans, and placemats for family, friends, and for the LDS Church''s humanitarian projects.

Don is survived by his wife Genene; children Shelley (Randy) Brown, Sharlene (Tom) Ingraham, Joan (Jeff) Nakaishi, Chriss (Lauri) Rentmeister, Russell (Laura) Rentmeister, Julie Smith, Ryan (Christy) Rentmeister, and Matthew (Sarah) Rentmeister; brother, Jim (Jeri) Rentmeister, and by 31 grandchildren and 17 great-grandchildren. Don also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and cousins that he loved dearly.

Don was preceded in death by his loving wife, Verlyn; his parents; brothers Vern, Jay C., and Ned; sister, June Della Silva; granddaughter Rachael Brown; and great-grandsons Isiah Rentmeister and Jackson Lucas.

Funeral services will be held on Monday, June 7, 2010 at 11 a.m. at the Center Ward Chapel, 2228 So. 1660 W., Syracuse, with Bishop Travis Barnes officiating. Friends may visit family on Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lindquist''s Layton Mortuary, 1867 No. Fairfield Road and Monday from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. at the church. Interment, Syracuse City Cemetery.

Special thanks to Mindy, Erin and the staff of Vista Care Hospice for the love and care they gave Dad. We would like to thank the children and their spouses for their dedication to dads care over the past couple of months.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to one of his great loves the Syracuse Museum and Cultural Center in Don''s name.