CROGHAN, NY – Donald J. Kampnich, 86, of State Route 812, Croghan, died Friday evening, Jan. 25, 2019, at his home under the care of his family and Lewis County Hospice.
Born Aug. 25, 1932, in the home of his parents Laurence and Flora Campany Kampnich, he was educated at District 9 School in Gooville and later attended Fr. Leo Memorial School in Croghan before finishing his last year at Beaver River Central.
On April 11, 1953, Donald enlisted in the airborne division of the US Army for basic training at Fort Campbell, KY then transferred to the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, NC where he completed 16 jumps.
Returning home in 1956 from North Carolina, he worked on the family farm until purchasing it. He spent each winter cutting logs, pulp and wood.
An avid outdoorsman, he loved hunting and fishing. He was a member of the Massaweepie, Jakes Pond and Pepperbox hunting clubs.
He was also a member of the Croghan American Legion.
Surviving are four sons, Roland and wife Delta, Paul and wife Janice, Lynn and wife Wendy, Laurence and companion Sue; and a daughter Rebecca and husband Butch Walseman; 12 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and a great- great-grandson; a sister, MaryAnn Mooney; several nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his parents, a daughter at birth, and four brothers, Herbert and Louis in 2014, Bernard in 2011, John in 1996, and by a grandson, John Widrick in 2015.
Donald was a communicant of St. James Catholic Church and donations may be made to the Augustinian Academy in Carthage.
A funeral Mass will be said 11 a.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, 2019, at St. James Catholic Church with Rev. Donald A. Robinson, Pastor officiating. Calling hours for family and friends are 4 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 29, at the funeral home
Spring burial will be in St. Stephens Cemetery with military honors.
To leave an online condolence, go to www.bezanillafh.com
