Donald F. Bachelder,

ATHOL - Donald F. Bachelder Sr., 83 of 612 Spring Street, Athol, died Friday, April 1, 2011 at home surrounded by his loving family after a long battle of pulmonary fibrosis. He was born in Athol, on August 30, 1927, the son of the late Charles and the late Leola (Whitaker) Bachelder. He grew up in Athol and graduated from Athol High School with the Class of 1945. He enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1952 and served during the Korean War. He attended business school at night in Tucson, Arizona during his service years. He was honorably discharged from the USAF in 1956.  He worked at Bachelder Automotive on Marble Street in Athol for many years working with his father, Charles. He was a silent partner in the White Paper Box Company for many years and became sole proprietor of the company in 1966. In 1978 his son, Donald Jr., joined him where they operated the business together until 2002 when he retired. He remained active in business decisions through the end of his life.   He was a member of the Packard Height Association in Orange, MA; he was an excellent boater and was active in sailing races at Lake Mattawa. He enjoyed camping and traveling with his family in their RV; they traveled across the country and was a member of Outdoor World Camping Association. He also spent many years enjoying his winters in Puerto Rico. He spent many years following the Simplex Minutemen Drum & Bugle Corps as a parent fan of each performance. He was Vice President of the Athol High School Band Association and traveled as a chaperone on their trip to Florida in 1974 to the Festival of States Competition. He leaves his wife of 61 years, Lorraine D. (Boiteau) Bachelder, one daughter, Diana Dee Wheeler of Athol; one son, Donald F. Bachelder, Jr. and his wife Sally-Ann of Bernardston; one brother, Lawrence Bachelder of Athol; three grandchildren, Ashley Bachelder of Little Rock, Arkansas, Aimee Bachelder of Athol, Nicholas Wheeler of Manchester, NH; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two sisters, Thelma Richards, Marion Acker and by two brothers, Clarence Bachelder and Gordon Bachelder. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Thursday, April 7, 2011 at 11:00 am in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 192 School St. in Athol. Burial with military honors will follow in Silver Lake Cemetery. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, April 6, 2011, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home, 110 New Athol Road, Orange. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in his memory to Gardner Visiting Nursing Association - Hospice, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440 or to Our Lady Immaculate Church - Roof Fund, 192 School St., Athol, MA 01331. For more information or to sign our online guest book please visit www.fiskemurphymack.com. Fiske-Murphy & Mack Funeral Home 110 New Athol Road, Orange is directing arrangements. $(document).ready(function(){ });