Donald G. 'Don' Hiatt, 81

Donald G. "Don" Hiatt, 81, passed away in Post Falls, Idaho, on Monday, Feb. 4, 2008, and was reunited with his heavenly family.

Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 12 in Coffelt's Funeral Chapel. Pastor Jon Pomeroy, First Church of God, will officiate.

Don was born on Nov. 19, 1926, in Bostwick, Neb., the son of Irvin and Mary Hiatt. On April 15, 1938, the family arrived in Sandpoint in a railroad boxcar to establish their new home.

Don attended local Bonner County schools. On Dec. 2, 1944, he married Mary Nilsson in Thompson Falls, Mont.

Don worked with his brothers, Fran and Jamie, in the automobile industry. For several years the family lived in Dallas, Ore., where Don continued working in an automotive dealership. When he returned to Sandpoint, the Hiatt family established Bonner Motors which became Lakeshore Motors. The dealership sold Nash, American Rambler, Chrysler products, and introduced the Datsun automobile to this area. In 1985 Don moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho, continuing to sell cars, until retirement in 1991.

Don and Mary were active in the Good Sam Club, and loved to travel in their motor-home. They traveled throughout the Northwest and Canada. They also vacationed in Hawaii and took extended trips to Europe.

Don is survived by his son Don (and Beth) Hiatt of Post Falls, Idaho; daughter Susan Bowlby of Hayden, Idaho; three grandchildren Lisa Anderson of Post Falls, Idaho; Jon (and Leslie) Bowlby of Denton, N.C.; Greg (and Arlene) Hiatt of Twin Lakes, Idaho; and nine great-grandchildren. Three sisters also survive Madeline King of Sandpoint, Gen Holden of Spokane, Wash., and Margene McNutt of Cataldo, Idaho.

He was preceded in death by his parents;, his wife, Mary; three brothers, Virgil, Fran, and Jamie; and two sisters, Redena Mosher and JoAnn Knoblick.

Family and friends are invited to visit Don's online guest book at www.coffeltfuneral.com.

Funeral arrangements are under the care of Coffelt Funeral Service.