CARRUTHERS, DONALD A.

HAMILTON – Donald A. Carruthers, 86, of Hamilton, passed away on Tuesday, Feb. 15, 2011, at his home.

Don was born in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 4, 1924, to the late Clyde and Mable Wilson Carruthers.

He was educated in Butte and completed business college.

On Jan. 11, 1943, Don was inducted into the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in the Pacific in battles on Bougainville, BSI; Okinawa, Japan; and was in occupation forces of Tsingtao, China. He was discharged from the Marines on Dec. 6, 1945 holding the rank of PFC. He was recalled to active duty on Sept. 18, 1950, and released on Oct. 7, 1950.

Following the war, Don was secretary/treasurer of Laborers Local 169 in Reno, Nev.

He married the love of his life, Lois Cunningham on April 17, 1950, in Butte.

He was preceded in death by his wife Lois in 2006; son Eddie who died in Vietnam; and two sisters.

He is survived by his daughters, Annette Hanley and Kathie Silva, both of Hamilton; son Terry (Donna) Carruthers of Sacramento, Calif.; brother, Al (Maxine) Carruthers of Butte; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A Memorial Mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, Feb. 21, at St. Francis Catholic Church, with Father Jack Darragh officiating. Military honors will be presented by the Marine Corps League-Bitterroot Detachment and the Hamilton American Legion. Private urn placement will take place at Riverview Cemetery in Hamilton.

The family suggests memorials to St. Francis Catholic Church in Hamilton.