At South Huron Hospital, Exeter on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, of Exeter in his 87th year. Beloved husband of Amelia M. (Fisher) Dearing for 64 years. Dear brother-in-law of Amy and Norm Fischer of Dashwood. Also survived by his nieces and nephews. Predeceased by his parents Wesley and Clara (Stanlake) Dearing, sisters Stella Taylor, Rosa Harris, Ella Willert and Greta Beaver, his niece Lorna Russell and nephew Russell Beaver. Don was a proud school bus driver for 32 years and showed sheep all over Ontario for most of his life.
Friends may call at the Haskett Funeral Home, 370 William Street, Exeter (1 street west of Main) on Thursday 2-4 and 7-9 PM, where the funeral service will be held on Friday, August 30th at 11 AM with Father Andrew Wilson officiating. There will be an Oddfellows Service in the funeral home on Thursday evening at 6:30 PM. Interment Exeter Cemetery.
Donations to Trivitt Memorial Anglican Church or the South Huron Hospital Foundation would be appreciated by the family.
We are always willing to go where called upon but this image shows a visual of the communities that our included in our initial transportation fee. We offer a 40km radius from any of our 5 locations (Arva (London), Exeter, Lucan, Seaforth, and Zurich). Any mileage beyond the included 40km will be charged a rate of $2.50/km (one way travel only).
Lynne Hern
Don will always be remembered as an extremely kind man with a big heart!! He had one of the greatest smiles! Especially when you had a bad day at school, Don was always there to cheer you up!!
My sincerest sympathy to you Amelia in the passing of your husband.
Dale Grant
Thoughts and prayers to you all.
I remember Don with fond memories, we were on the Exeter Fair Board together for a few years. I loved seeing his sheep as I drove past his home on Airport Line. He was a wonderful man.
RIP Don
Dale Grant (Marshall)
Lois Groves
So sorry to hear of Donald’s passing, he truly was a fine gentleman. I purchased his horned dorset flock from him in 1997. He was so funny to talk to, always a great story. He loved life, he was such a great person for the young people to listen to his life stories. Always a perfect gentleman. He will truly be missed by all whom his life has touched!!!!
Dan Gower
Dear Amelia I have great memories of Don as my bus driver. My deepest sympathy to you. Dan Gower
Barb Harnack (Skinner)
Dear Amelia
When I last spoke with “Uncle Donald” at the Zurich fair in 2011, he talked about “his kids from bus 15” and how he followed their lives and careers with interest and pride. Heaven did indeed gain another angel on tuesday. My condolences to you and your family.
Anne and Daniel Gallant
Don was a kind and generous man. He made the bus ride on “bus 15” a great journey. He was fair and authoratative with a friendly tone. He always had something to say to make you smile. I will always remember Don.
My deepest sympahy to Amelia and the extended family for your loss.
Anne Gallant
Dave Frayne and Cathy Cade
Dear Amelia
: We would like to offer our condolences for Don.
He will be missed, many a student had a ride with him and he never forgot them. While our store was open, Don would drop in for a “Wagon Wheel” to get through the day. He always had a smile on his face. God Bless.
Irv. & Lois Armstrong
Amelia. Sorry to hear of Donald death. We are thinking of you at this time. We remeber the Bus trips that you took with us..Lois & Irv.
Rick and Karen Etherington
He was #15’s bus driver. I was crying the first day of school getting on the bus and Don moved someone to let me sit in the front seat! I sat there on and off until grade 13! He took good care. And…..school was just around the corner. LOL! He will certainly be missed. Our condolences Amelia.
Jessie Shanks
To the Dearing Family:
So sorry to hear of Don’s passing, he will be sadly missed by all
Paul, Keith & Jessie Shanks
Peter Fragiskatos
Dear Amelia,
I am deeply saddened by Don’s passing. He was a wonderful person who touched everyone he met with humour and kindness. And the support he showed to the wider Exeter community – whether it was the Exeter Hawks, the Fall Fair or as a dedicated school bus driver – should never be forgotten. He will be missed.
Brenda Hovius and 4 Girls
We were all greatly saddened by the news of Don’s passing. He was my favourite #15 Bus Driver and also my 4 daughter’s favourite, when they went to Usborne School also. He always made us smile and had a story to tell. He was generous with treats for all and he was the best driver ever. He will be truly missed by everyone.
Patti Stanley
Dear Amelia
Sorry to hear of Don’s passing. Don used to pop into the Sears office after he got his ears lowered. He always had a joke to tell, and he spoke often of his four legged best friend , Maggie. Don touched the hearts of many and will be dearly missed. Rest in peace.
Tom Hartai
Amelia and family
On behalf of my family and staff, please accept our deepest condolences at this difficult time.
God’s Blessing to you and your family
Tom Hartai
Margaret Greene
My thoughts and prayers are with you in the loss of your husband Don. Margaret Greene
Bill, Audrey and Larry Rowe
Sincere sympathy to each of you. Don was a great guy. Larry enjoyed the many chats and times he spent with Don.
Harry Hardy
Our Sincere Sympathy,
Our thoughts are with your Families
Harry and Elaine Hardy
Gord & Deb Phillips
Our thoughts and prayers are with you Amelia
Janice Frayne Morris
Dear Amelia,
I was sorry to hear of the passing of Donald. I always enjoyed talking to him when I saw him. He will truly be missed. My condolence to you and your family.
Kelli Beecroft (Fulton)
Very sad to hear of the passing of one of the best bus drivers ever! You always brought us treats for all the holidays (even after you retired), let us have paper fights on the bus for the last day of school every year, fishtailed around the corners in the winter, and made sure you hit the pot holes to make us fly off the seats. Not many can say they had the same bus driver as their parents. Thanks Don for many years of fun on bus #15 from Usborne, and for keeping in touch all these years. Thanks for cheering us on at ball games, stopping in for visits, and even for making it to my wedding reception for a dance. You will be missed!
Gerald and Carolyn Johns
What a kind and gentle man. He always had time to talk and always brought a smile to your face. He was proud of his sheep and was very willing to bring some baby sheep to the Thames Road Elimville church for the Sunbeams kids to cuddle.
He seemed so proud to attend the Usborne Central School celebrations.
He will be missed.
Bob and Doris Osgood
Dear Donald,
You were our beloved “Bus 15” driver for all our years of school. We appreciated you and cherish all our memories of your support while we were growing up. Thank you.
The Hawks are really going to miss you at the home games. This season they will be short one of their best and most loyal fans.
You have made our lives richer. Rest in peace
Amelia, our deepest condolences, you are in our prayers.
Bob & Doris Osgood
Janis and Peter Bisback
Dear Amelia
Words cannot express our sorrow in the passing of Don. He was a charmer and a story teller. We will miss him at Fair board. God Bless him always