Donald A. Grau, Sr.

Donald A. Grau, Sr., age 58, went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2013, at Newton Medical Center. Born on April 2, 1955, in Sussex to the late Ralph H. and Edith Louise (Johnson) Grau,

Donald was raised in the Sussex-Wantage area, where he lived all of his life. He had graduated from High Point Regional High School in 1973 and was employed as a custodian at Wallkill Valley General Hospital in Sussex for 15 years. Donald tended bar at the Corner Bar in Pine Island, New York, was an ordained minister, a low-pressure boiler operator, and operated Grau Services with his father until the early 1980s. He was an advocate for the homeless and was an avid hunter and fisherman. He loved his children, his grandchildren, and being outside enjoying nature. Donald is survived by his son, Donald A. Grau, Jr. and his fiancé, Ashley Skellenger, of Hardyston; his two daughters, Katie Louise Dufford and her husband, Jerry, of Virginia and Cynthia Anne Grau

of Newton; his best friend, Diane DeGroat of Wantage; his brother, Paul

H. Grau and his wife, Mary Ellen, of Wantage; 6 grandchildren; and 3 nieces and nephews. Private cremation services were entrusted to the Pinkel Funeral Home, 31 Bank Street (Route 23), Sussex and a private memorial service will be held at the convenience of the family at a later date. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations may be made to the family. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.pinkelfuneralhome.com