Donald F. Thoune, 83, of Elmira and Flint, died peacefully at his daughter's residence in Lapeer, with his family by his side on Nov. 16, 2004. Cremation has already taken place. He was born in Wells, on Aug. 7, 1921, the fourth of 10 children born to Joseph and Lydia Vachon Thoune. On Oct. 4, 1941, he married Geraldine Mae Dysard in Flushing. They had three children, Frances (Hall), Wanda (Dowdall) and Denny Thoune. He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, stationed in Germany. In the 1950s, he drove a school bus for Kearsley Community Schools. He retired from General Motors in 1980 after 44 years of service and moved up north to Elmira.

He is survived by his two children, Wanda Dowdall and Denny Thoune, and his son-in-law, Mike Hall; 11 grandchildren, Jeff (Terry) Dowdall, Brenda Dowdall, Bill (Jenny) Dowdall, Phillip (Lisa) Dowdall, Jennifer (Todd) Rees, Stephanie Hall, Kyle Hall, Shawn Cowan, Aaron Coole, Darin (Amy) Coole, and Dana (Robert) Matlock; 11 great-grandchildren, Jason Reeser, Kurstin, Kaitlyn, Matthew and Ali Dowdall, Morgan Crozier, Casey and Bryce Cowan, Bobby Jo and Benalyn Matlock, and Nathan Rees; brothers, Clarence (Dorothy) and James (Lucille); sister, Helen Elford; brothers and sisters-in-law, Bill and Vinnie Nosis and Bud and Dawn Benjamin; and special companions Mo Tone and Charlie cat.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Geraldine in 1981, daughter, Frances in 1987 and daughter-in-law, Beverly Thoune earlier this year.

A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 21, at United Brethren Church, 6259 Richfield Rd., the Rev. Richard Raab officiating. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Great Lakes Shipwreck Museum. Arrangements were made by Brown Funeral Home, 1615 Davison Rd., Flint.

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