Donald Clay Cartner

Donald Cartner, 84, a former resident of Lafayette, loving husband of the late Madelyn Diamond Cartner for 56 years, devoted father of Michael and Kim and 2 grandchildren, died on Memorial Day, Monday, May 30, 2016 at 6:30 PM in the VA Medical Center Hospice and Palliative Care Unit, Martinsburg, WV. Don is now rejoicing in the presence of the Lord. Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 6, 2016 at 1:00 PM in the Delhomme Chapel of the Flowers with Dr. Steve Horn, Pastor of First Baptist Church presiding. Having believed and trusted in the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord on May 10, 1963, Don now lives, even though he has died (John 11:25). Revelation 14:13 {the Apostle John wrote} “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write,’ ‘Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’” Don was born in Hammond, IN on November 16, 1931, to Mildred and Henry Cartner. Don served in the Air Force from 1952-1956 during which time he met and married Madelyn Diamond of Centerville, who predeceased him after 56 years of marriage. Don graduated with honors from the University of Houston with a degree in Math and worked for the Federal Government as a Computer Analyst for 20 years at White Sands Missile Range, NM. Don and Madelyn returned to Lafayette in 1993 to be closer to their family where Don worked at the Wetlands in a post-retirement job. It has been said that “Don was a Yankee by birth, but not by choice.” Don served in several church and parachurch ministries through the years including Acting Director, Child Evangelism Fellowship, El Paso, TX; The Gideons International; Bible Study Fellowship leader; church ministries such as elder, treasurer, Sunday School Superintendent and music director. Don had several hobbies and interests such as singing, music, spending time on his computer, fellowshipping with other believers at church, watching sports on TV, especially professional football’s Chicago Bears and college football’s Notre Dame, military TV, running errands, handiwork and spending time with his grandchildren. He was full of energy and never stopped. He was the last fan of SPAM which he ate with Kraft Macaroni and Cheese instead of the world-renowned Cajun food of Southern Louisiana. Don is survived by his son, Michael Cartner of Highlands, TX; daughter, Kim Cartner Schatz and husband, John Schatz; and two grandchildren, Johnny and Kristen Schatz of Round Hill, VA. He was predeceased by his parents and stepfather, James Barron; one infant brother; and one older sister, Jean. The family requests that visiting hours be observed at Delhomme Funeral Home on Bertrand Drive on Monday, June 6, 2016 from 11:00 AM until the time of service. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Don should be sent to The Gideons International, P O Box 140800, Nashville, TN 37214-0800. Please include Don’s name and your name and address on your gift. To make a gift by phone, call 1-866-382-4253. To make a gift online, please go https://www.gideons.org/HowYouCanHelp/generaldonations.aspx. The price to place (1) Gideon Hotel Bible in Don’s memory is $5.00 per Bible. Thank you for your gift to the Gideons International; it will make an eternal difference. Personal condolences may be sent to the Cartner family at www.delhommefuneralhome.com. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, LA is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Donald Clay Cartner

November 16, 1931 - May 30, 2016