Donald Tanner

Mr. Donald Tanner, 94, of Plains, passed away early Tuesday morning, March 6, 2012, at Phoebe Sumter Medical Center. Funeral services will be conducted at 11:00 AM on Friday, March 9, in St. Andrews Lutheran Church in Plains with interment to follow in Lebanon Cemetery. Rev. Charles Thompson will officiate. Born April 11, 1917, in Dooly County, he was a son of the late John Lelas Tanner and Mary Elizabeth Hair Tanner. He was married on January 7, 1943, to Lottie Vivian Wise. He was a prominent Sumter County farmer, a long-time member of St. Andrews Lutheran Church, and a veteran of World War II. Mr. Tanner was honorably discharged on Oct. 10, 1945. He was in the 41st Amphibian Truck Co. He received a Distinguished Presidential Unit citation, four major battle stars (World War II Victory Medals) which included Normandy, Belgium, Holland, and North Germany, and three European Middle African Campaign medals. Family members suggest that memorial contributions be made to St. Andrews Lutheran Church or to any favorite charity. The family will receive friends at Hancock Funeral Home from 6:00 until 8:00 PM on Thursday. At other times, friends may call at the family residence. Survivors, in addition to his wife, include his children, Donna Herron of Nashville, GA, John Phillip (Buzzy) Tanner of Albany, Carol Geriner and Jack Weigand, of Crawfordville, FL; grandchildren, Helena and Terry Marshall, Veronica Sylvester and Alvin Alford, Patricia Webb, Dianne Michelle (Mikki) and Jamie Owler, Donald (Tank) and Stephanie Tanner, Stephen Darrah and Catherine Tanner, Zonda and Dan Petty, and Al and Sandi Pilcher; 12 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; brothers & sister-in-law, Bennie & Georgia Tanner of Americus, Marvin Tanner of Plains, and Robert (Bobby) & Ira Jean Tanner of Lawrenceville; sister, Margie Austin of Americus; and numerous nieces & nephews. To sign our online guest registry, please visit www.hancockfuneralhomeinc.com Hancock Funeral Home, 427 S. Lee St., is in charge of arrangements.