Don Joe Sappington, 81

Don Joe Sappington, 81, born on March 28, 1933, in Texarkana, Texas, entered into rest July 20, 2014, in Spokane Valley, Wash.

Don was a resident of Loon Lake, Wash., for 12 years.

He graduated from high school in Great Falls, Mont., in 1952. Don served in the U. S. Navy during the Korean Conflict earning him the National Defense Service Ribbon.

Don worked on Aircrafts in Texas doing fiberglass layup bonding and air tunnel testing.

He also worked as a sawyer at a lumber company in Idaho. His hobbies included hunting, fishing and building and flying model aircrafts. Don is survived by his wife of 50 years, Cathlyn Sappington at the home; daughter, Deanea Merrifield of Bonners Ferry, Idaho; son, Bob Cox of Priest River, Idaho; daughter, Donna Nash of Santa Fe, N.M.; daughter, Deborah Johnson of Wasilla, Alaska; daughter, Meghan Parker of Springdale, Wash.; and son, Joe Rapp of Shepherd, Mont.; 13 grandchildren; and 11 great- grandchildren.

No public services will be held.

Riplinger Funeral Home and Crematory, Spokane, Wash., was entrusted with arrangements. www.riplingerfuneralhome.com