He was born on Jan. 8, 1944 in Prosser, Wash., to Orpha “Perk” and Leola Lee Sargant Tonning. Don was raised and attended school in Pendleton. He graduated from Pendleton High School in the class of 1962. Don was united in marriage to Barbara L. Belvill on June 7, 1963 in Pendleton. They lived in Longview, Wash., for a time and Don worked for Tolley Craft Boats. In 1964 they moved to Butte, Montana and later returned to Pendleton in 1967. He worked at the Pendleton Chevrolet Dealership where he worked in many different capacities. Don started a long career as a Farmer’s Insurance agent in the early 1970s in Hermiston. A short time later moved his business to Umatilla where he operated it for more than 30 years. Don expanded his business to include Tonning’s Auto Wholesale and really enjoyed working with people find an automobile. He enjoyed fishing, camping, horseback riding, riding his motorcycle, the mountains, and was an avid reader of western books.
He is survived by his wife of 52 years: Barbara Tonning, Umatilla; daughters: Charmaine Gomez & husband Orlando, Price, UT, Margaret Costa & husband Joe, Stockton, CA; parents: Leola Barnes, Pendleton, Orpha “Perk” Tonning, Kennewick, WA; brothers: David Barnes, Redmond, Raymond & Jimmy Barnes, both of Pendleton, Hank Tonning, Kennewick, WA; sisters: Kay Broweleit, Bothell, WA, Pat Simmons, Post Falls, ID, Becky Almon, Stevenson, WA, Debbie Johnson, Riverside, WA; grandchildren: Shalena, Nathan, Andrew, Brandon, & Zachary; great grandchildren: Nathaniel & Jaden; numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Don was preceded in death by his sister, Carolyn; and grandmother, Violet Troxel.
A celebration of life service will be held on Monday, July 20, 2015 at 10 a.m. at Burns Mortuary Chapel in Hermiston.
Burial will follow at the Sunset Hills Cemetery in Umatilla.
Those who wish may make contributions in Don’s memory to St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital at stjude.org.
Please sign the online guest book at burnsmortuaryhermiston.com.
Burns Mortuary of Hermiston is in care of arrangements.
