Donald H. Newland

Wellsville, NY - Donald H. Newland, age 87, of Wellsville, New York passed away on Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at Jones Memorial Hospital.  He was born on February 14, 1929 in Port Allegany, PA to Harold and Anna (Firman) Newland.  On September 17, 1949 he married the love of his life Norma Mallery who predeceased him on February 22, 2011.

Don graduated from Wellsville High School in 1946.  After graduation he served in the U.S. Army until 1949.  He was stationed in Fort Bliss, assigned to Battery B, First Guided Missile Regiment where he was selected to work on the Von Braun team to develop the guidance system (gyro) for the V2 Rocket that subsequently became part of the NASA Space Program.  Don also served as a military escort for service personnel that were killed in WWII when their remains were repatriated to the United States.  Following his service, Don was a Senior Development Engineer at Eastman Kodak and then hired as an Engineering Section Leader at General Dynamics in Rochester.  

Along with his wife Norma, Don was owner and operator of Mallery Television for over 40 years.  

The community of faith was a driving force in his life.  He was a member of the Christian Temple Church in Wellsville where he served as a deacon, elder, and an interim speaker.  He also wrote and acted in The Players, a church drama group.  

Don volunteered in the local community including delivering meals on wheels, assisting others through a volunteer driver program, and initiating the first volunteer glass recycling program.

He was an avid golfer, fisherman, and at a young age became a die-hard NY Yankees fan.

Don is survived by a son, Dr. Guy (Cherie) Newland of Beavercreek, Ohio; three daughters, Jan Pratt of Wellsville, Carrie (Larry Peacock) Whitwood of Wellsville, and Andrea Hall of Tennessee; son-in-law Brian Thomas of Georgia; 15 grandchildren; 10 great grandchildren; as well as several nieces and nephews.  

Don was predeceased by his parents, his wife Norma, his daughter Leslie Thomas, a brother Andrew, and six sisters, Marie, Marion, Elva, Arla, Florence and Helen.  

Calling hours will be held on Saturday, November 12, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. at the Christian Temple Church in Wellsville, New York; a Celebration of Life will follow at 2:00 p.m. 

 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Leslie Newland Thomas Memorial Scholarship Fund, % Wellsville High School, 126 West State Street, New York, 14895. To leave online condolences please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com