He was born on March 13, 1954 in Heppner to Floyd and Donna Roberson Papineau. Donnie was raised in Lexington and graduated from Heppner High School in 1973. He continued to live in the Lexington-Ione area and worked as a sawyer at the Kinzua Mill for several years. He moved to Enterprise in 1989 and worked for Rogee Mill until 1994 when he began driving truck. Donnie drove truck for Simplot and later Les Schwab Tire until 2000. He enjoyed horses, calf roping, hunting, fishing, rodeos, and sports. Donnie was involved with grandkids coaching basketball and football.
He is survived by his companion, Catherine “Cathy” Scott, Hermiston; sons, Brian Papineau, La Grande, and Brad Papineau, Kennewick, Wash.; daughters, Michelle Papineau, Vancouver, Wash., and Cherie Davis, La Grande; sister, Carol Ehrmantraut, Lexington; five grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.
Donnie was preceded in death by his wife, Gail; his parents; and two sisters, Penny and Debbie.
A graveside celebration of life service will be held on Friday, Jan. 23, 2015 at 1 p.m. at the Lexington Cemetery in Lexington.
Please sign the condolence book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
