Donald E. Gauntner, age 89, of Seven Valleys, died at 10:06 PM Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at Pappus House in Thomasville. He was the loving husband of Sue (Haug) Wieler.

Born December 31, 1935, in Portage, Cambria County, he was a son of the late Kleda and Grace (Swanson) Gauntner. A highly decorated US Army Veteran, he was a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the U.S. Army War College, Indiana University of Pennsylvania, where he earned his Bachelor of Science in Education, and Penn State University, where he earned his Master’s of Public Administration. He retired as Full Colonel, serving in the US Army Airborne and Special Forces for twenty-three years. He was a recipient of the Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, Army Meritorious Service Medal (with Two Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Air Medial with cluster, Army Commendation Medal (with One Oak Leaf Cluster), Combat Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm, Vietnamese Parachute Badge with cluster, and U.S. Army Pentagon Staff Identification Badge. He was recognized for valor at the East Prospect Cemetery in York.

After retirement he worked for AAI Corporation in Baltimore and then served as President of its ESI engineering support division in Hunt Valley. A member of the American Wine Society, he was the owner of La Rue Vineyard, in Seven Valleys, and was recognized for five years until he retired winemaking as the #1 Amateur Wine Maker in the United States and Canada. He was a certified wine judge and helped start the First Capitol Chapter Wine Club in York. He also organized the White Rose Wanderers. His Masonic affiliations included Red Lion Lodge #649 Free and Accepted Masons, and Zembo Temple, Harrisburg.

Don was a handsome charismatic man with a great smile, and big heart. He always took the time to listen and made you feel special. He loved family and friends and had many lifelong friends. A natural born teacher and leader with an engineering mind. He taught 4th grade before joining the Army in 1957. A great cook who loved to entertain and host his wine symposiums and wine tastings, the annual Halloween party was a favorite. He loved music and had won the Arion award in high school. Other hobbies included photography, leaded stain glass projects, and restoring antiques. He was kind, generous, intelligent, funny and a great storyteller. He was the most positive person who overcame many obstacles in his lifetime and was young in heart and spirit. Don built an amazing waterfall that cascades down a 35-foot raceway on his property at LaRue. People would ask which company installed it. Don would tell them that he dug it by pick and shovel, moved 18 tons of stone and canoed on Seneca Lake for the driftwood. People would be in awe, and he would chuckle and say, “I was a lot younger then, only 70, when I built it.” Don was one in a million who left his mark on this earth. Your battles are done. Peace be with you faithful soldier and servant.

In addition to his wife, Mr. Gauntner is survived by his son, Don; daughter, Danna; grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He was also preceded in death by his daughter, Donise; his brother, Bob Gauntner, and Don's loving wife, Sandy (McGraw) Gauntner.

Funeral services are scheduled for 2:00 PM Saturday, April 12, 2025, Kuhner Associates Funeral Directors, Inc., 863 South George Street, York, with military rites presented by the York County Veterans Honor Guard. Visitation will be from 1:30-2:00 PM. Livestream of services will be available at www.facebook.com/KuhnerAssociates

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Pappus House, 66 Big Mount Road, Thomasville, PA 17364.