Lewis Benjamin "Uncle Lew" Donner, 79, of New Wilmington died Thursday at the Autumn Grove Care Center, Harrisville.

Born Nov. 23, 1927, in Lackawannock Township, Mercer County, he was the son of Jacob Donner and Marie Swartz.

He retired as a crane operator at Sharon Steel. He enjoyed farming and working for the Auction Barn.

Mr. Donner served in the Army in the Korean War.

He enjoyed square dancing, flea markets and auctions and coon hunting. He loved donkeys and was a member of the Mahoning County Miniature Horse Association.

He also was a member of Unity Presbyterian Church of Greenfield, Mercer County.

Surviving are his loving companion, Merry Lou Rieseck; and a nephew, David L. Carr, of Harrisville, whom he raised;

His wife, Violet Mae Carr Donner, whom he married in 1950, died June 14, 1997. A brother, Benjamin, also preceded him in death.

<B>DONNER </B>— Friends of Lewis Benjamin "Uncle Lew" Donner, who died Thursday, Feb. 15, 2007, will be received from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today at the <B>Smith Funeral Home</B>, 3126 Main St., West Middlesex.Services, with full military honors, will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home with the Rev. James Wigley, former pastor of his church, officiating.Entombment will be at the Castle View Memorial Gardens, New Caste.Memorial donations may be made to Club Pet, 20 Shaller Road, Transfer, PA 16154.