Donald Anthony Oppenheim

Donald Anthony Oppenheim, 80, of Hot Springs Village, Ark., died on Thursday December 23, 2010 at an area hospital after a long illness. He was born in Detroit, MI on November 25, 1930 to the late Felix and Beatrice (Martz) Oppenheim. Don was a devoted family man, married to Kathryn, his wife of 57 years. Together they raised six children, who gave him eight grandchildren. Don was blessed with his first great-grandchild this year. Don spent his childhood in Almont, Mich. as the youngest of five children. He lost his mother to pneumonia when he was just six years old. At the age of 18, Don entered the United States Air Force where he was stationed domestically during the Korean Conflict. He married Kathryn Ann Johnston on June 25, 1953 and settled in Howell, Mich., where Don worked for White Mountain Dairy, the family-owned business. They had six children, David Anthony (Karen) Oppenheim of Germantown, Tennessee; Karen Marie Abrams (Robert) of Alexandria, Virginia; Nancy Ann Bosley (Skipper) of Hot Springs; Thomas Carl Oppenheim (Marie) of Bentonville, Arkansas; Timothy Donald Oppenheim (Lisa) of Jonesboro, Arkansas; and Matthew John Oppenheim (Kimberly) of Germantown, Tennessee. Don's career eventually brought him to Arkansas and Mississippi, where he spent years in Manufacturing until eventually retiring in 1996 and moving to Hot Springs Village. Don had a wonderful sense of humor, and was blessed with many wonderful and supportive friends. He was a gifted poet, an ungifted golfer, loved any kind of card game, and had a passion for the Razorbacks. Through the years, he was also involved with a number of community organizations, including the Kiwanis Club, Boy Scouts of America, the Elks Lodge, and the Malvern Airport Authority. He was preceded in death by his parents, his sister Ruth, brothers Robert and Carl. He is survived by his wife, Kathryn Oppenheim, his children, grandchildren, great-grandchild, and sister, Rose Marie Oppenheim of Ypsilanti, Michigan. He was a member of Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Hot Springs Village, Ark. A Memorial Service will be held Tuesday December 28, 2010 at 5 p.m. at Sacred Heart with Rosary following. Funeral services will be Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 2 p.m. The family requests that all memorials be sent in Don's honor to the National Emphysema Foundation, 128 East Avenue, Norwalk, CT 06851 or give online at www.emphysemafoundation.org. Arrangements are under the direction of CedarVale Funeral Home, (501) 922-6100. Guest may register at www.atkinsonfuneralhome.net.