Deer Isle – Donn Frederick Heanssler, 76, fell asleep in Christ on March 15, 2018, at his home in Sunshine, Deer Isle, Maine, after a battle with cancer fought with strength and determination.

Born on July 8, 1941, to parents Frederick “Fred” and Mildred (Shaw) Heanssler, Donn grew up with his sisters, cousins and other relatives on Deer Isle, attending the Sunshine one-room schoolhouse. He graduated from Deer Isle High School in 1959 and studied for one year at Berkshire Christian College in Lenox, Mass. He then met and married his wife, Janice (Weeks) on June 14, 1969, and settled in their home on Sunshine, later raising their two daughters there.

Donn was a life-long attender and long-time member of the Sunshine Advent Christian Church, where he served as Sunday school superintendent, deacon and chairman of the board for many years. In 1976 he became the treasurer for Evergreen Cemetery in Sunshine, a position he held until 2018.

In 1974, he joined the Deer Isle Volunteer Fire Department, later becoming captain, then assistant fire chief. He served on fire truck committees and was president of the Deer Isle Firemen’s Association from 1982 until his death.

Donn was very active at the Washington Second Advent Christian Campground in Washington, Maine, where he became vice president in 1983 and held that position until 2015. He could be seen on the campground jacking up buildings, doing plumbing work and attending church services.

Donn grew up working with and for his grandfather, Augustus ‘Gus,’ and his father, Fred, driving trucks at an early age. He worked under his father at Heanssler Oil Company in Deer Isle, later becoming owner and manager in 1980. He was well known in the community as a businessman and leader. Donn was a good-natured hard worker who wanted to please his customers. For a number of years, he had a boat storage business as well.

For those who knew him, Donn was a very active man. For many years, he could be seen in his fluorescent vest taking his daily walks in Sunshine in the very early morning hours, in any and all kinds of weather.

He will be remembered for his generosity, his sense of humor, his caring nature and his love and devotion to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his devoted wife of 44 years, Janice; and his infant brother, Gerald. He is survived by his daughters, Raegan Heanssler of Augusta, and Larissa Heanssler of Sunshine, Deer Isle; sisters, Sally Dunham and her husband, Richard, of Stonington, and Beth Lane and her husband, Daniel, of Deer Isle; niece, Andrea (Chris) Wheeland of Vermont; nephews, Wade Dunham of Massachusetts, and Nathaniel (Diana) Lane of Deer Isle; as well as many cousins.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 24, 2018, at 1:00 p.m. at the Reach Performing Arts Center, 249 North Deer Isle Rd, Deer Isle. A reception will follow at the Sunshine Advent Christian Fellowship Center. A private burial will be held later in the Spring.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Donn’s memory can be made to Washington Advent Christian Campmeeting, c/o Pam Allen, 2 Deer Lane, Hallowell ME, 04347; or Deer Isle Fire Department, P.O. Box 275, Deer Isle, ME 04627.

Funeral arrangements have been made by Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home.