7Donald L. Lininger, 91, of Hawthorne died Jan. 29, 2015 at Mt. Grant Hospital in Hawthorne.  He was born on March 14, 1923 in Skidmore, Mo. to Lester and Minnie Lininger.  He served in the U.S. Army from 1943 to 1946, during World War II in New Guinea and the Philippines.   Don moved to Hawthorne in 1951 from Clarinda, Iowa.  He was Civil Service at the Hawthorne Ammunition Base, working as a carpenter and a foreman in the Block and Brace Shop.

Donald was a member of the BPO Elks, VFW and American Legion, all in Hawthorne.  He was also a member of the Mineral County Sheriff’s Posse, the Horseman’s Association of Hawthorne and the Pony Express where he took part in the Pony Express reenactment rides.  He loved hunting and, especially, fishing and general cowboying.  Don was a regular poker player at the Elks and a pinochle player at the Care and Share.  He loved cars, usually driving a hard bargain and was known for getting the attention of people near him with particularly sharp elbow jabs.

Donald Lininger was preceded in death by his parents, and a sister, Edna Yokum.  He is survived by his wife: Aletha Lininger of Hawthorne; sons: Donnie R. (Susan) Lininger and Clarence (Terri) Lininger both of Hawthorne and Monte (Penny) Lininger of Hanford, Calif.; brothers: Wilbur, Bill and Russell Lininger; and sisters: Ruby Cotton and Lena Reinhart.  Don is also survived by numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A memorial and celebration of Don’s life was held on Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 3 p.m. at the Elks Lodge in Hawthorne.  Burial and services with military honors are scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 5 at 12:00 noon at the Northern Nevada Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery in Fernley.

Arrangements are under the direction of Gunter’s Funeral Home.