Donald H. “Don” France
November 10, 1952 - May 16, 2022
Donald H. “Don” France, age 69, of Bear, DE, passed away peacefully, surrounded by his family on Monday, May 16, 2022.
Born in Bainbridge, MD, on November 10, 1952, he was the son of the late Floyd and Florence (McCallister) France. Don was a financial analyst with Delmarva Power and AstraZeneca and spent 27 years at DuPont Medical Products, Glasgow Site, in various roles.
Active in his community, Don was a 32nd degree Mason and a member of the Jackson Masonic Lodge No. 19, A.F. & A.M. in Delaware City and served as past master at Jackson Lodge and Christiana Lodge No. 35. He enjoyed watching football and was a huge Dallas Cowboys fan.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his sister, Anita Garvey. He is survived by his devoted wife, Sharon D. (Nussle) France; loving children, Matthew Nussle (Kristi), Donald France, Jr. (Susan), Danielle Witwer (Jonathan); sisters, Linda Lowe, and Debbie McCall (Chuck); grandchildren, Katie, Mackenna, Carolina, Cameron, and Nathan; and his loyal doodles, Emmitt and Sugar.
A visitation will be held from 9 am until 10:45 am on Tuesday, June 14, 2022, at Spicer-Mullikin Funeral Home, 1000 North Dupont Parkway, New Castle, DE, where a Masonic service will begin at 10:45 am, followed by a memorial service at 11 am. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Don’s memory may be made to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22478, Oklahoma City, OK 73123 or by clicking here or to Gift of Life Donor Program, 401 N. 3rd St., Philadelphia, PA 19123 or by clicking here.
Barbara Lawson
I can feel the Love for you and your family from everyone who knows you. We send more and know you are together remembering this beautiful man. So sorry is not enough. Love you.
Donna & Charlie Moloney
Sharon and family, we are so sorry for your loss. Don was an incredibly kind and caring man who will be missed by the many people whose lives he touched. We love you, and we’ll keep him and all of you in our prayers.
Sandy
Sharon I am so very sorry that your love, Don, has passed. I know how much you both loved each other. May our Lord wrap his arms around you and the family and keep you in his comfort. I love you! Sandy
A.J. Rominiecki
Sincere condolences, Sharon, to you and your children. May you be comforted by the memories of all the happy times you shared with Don.
Emma
Sharon, Gary and I send our condolences. Don was a true gift to you. He was a good man.
Rose Cierniak
My condolences for your loss. May you find peace knowing that the pain is over
Mary Graff
Sharon and Family – Peace and love to you all at this time. You are all in my thoughts and prayers, may God be with you and guide you as you go through this.
Mary & Fred Graff
John Ford
My sincere condolences and deepest sympathies.
Leslie and Allen Ruth
Sharon and family, Don was one of my favorite people in this world. Loved to sit with and chat about life and times while he did our taxes. I will miss him and his good advice and counsel. Know you all are in our thoughts and prayers.
Robert Merrill
We’ve lost a wonderful man, brother, dad, husband most of all a very compassionate and caring friend. Don and Sharon were always willing to help anyone in need or just be a friendly voice to help. I will miss Don, but he will never leave my heart. Rest in peace my friend.
Pat Harker
Sharon I am so sorry for you loss. I pray you and your family are comforted by memories of times shared. Stay strong and live your best life for your kid, grandkids and Don.
May the Angels welcome him to paradise.
Jean and George you
Sharon,
George and I were so saddened when we read about Don’s passing. We know he will be missed by many. He was always so helpful and caring. We are sure you have many happy memories to help you during this sad time. Know that you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Jean and George toy.
Marie Schneider
Sharon, we are so sorry for your loss. It was a pleasure knowing you and Don over the years. Don was certainly a fighter! We will keep you and your family in our prayers.
Randy
To Sharon (Dimples) and Family,
I’m so sorry for the loss of Donald. I first met Don when I went to building 300. He was a good guy! We would often play tennis together. I even photographed the kids when they were very young. Of course I had to give him a nick name. His nick name would always be (POP) to me. That’s what I always called him, after the birth of his first child. Again, my heart and prayers go out to you and the family.
Randy
Ron and Betty Park
We love you Sharon, the Bible says it best “And this too, shall pass”, Don is safe now💕🙏🏽
debbi mullens
Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you remember the love you shared with him. Remember that you are not alone.
We all love you.
yvonne christine lewis, Bonnie
Dear Sharon I am in deep shock.!!!! I really liked him,He was such a gem , I wish you all the love and comfort. THere are no words that will take away your sorrow ,but know you are in our hearts and prayers, If you need anything please lets us know, we send our love to you and matt,kristie rest of family. Bonnie and Mike Lewis
Sandy Greene
Sharon & Family,
I’m so sorry for your loss. Don was so kind & will be missed by many.
Thinking of you always, Sandy
Brian T. Eide
I worked with Don all those years at DuPont, a great person I was real sorry to hear of his passing. Sharon my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Anna Castillo
So very sorry 💔💔💔, may you find comfort in the love Don had for his family and all the lives he touched.
Helen B. Shaub
Dear Sharon & Children,
So sorry to hear about Donald. Remembering what a lovely man he was! May your family accept my deepest condolences!
Barbara Wessel
Sharon and all the family,
My deepest sympathies to you all. I have fond memories of Don, Sharon and I chatting about The Jerry Seinfeld show when we working together at DuPont. We had a lot of laughs over the years. May you think about all the good times you had with Don and all the love he had for all of you to help you though this sad time.
Stephanie Fahringer
Sharon and family,
I am so sorry for your loss. Don always made us laugh and had such a good time with my mom and I every year. I looked forward to our yearly visit. I pray for you all and your healing. My heart is broken for your loss.
Thumper
Nussles and family,
I am so very sorry for the loss you must be feeling. Don was a great man who will truly be missed by many. May memories of better, healthier days comfort you during this difficult time. Rest easy Boyfriend!! 💔💔💔
-Thumper
Yolanda Meadowcroft
My dear friend my heart is broken for you and your family. You were the nicest man I knew.I am honored to have you in my life for over 30 years I love ya Sharon
Bill Baird
Sharon, so very sorry to learn of Don’s passing. Prayers for you and your family.
George Watson
Mr. France always enjoyed having the Caravel Farms development kids over to the house to play basketball and swim in the backyard pool with his son Don Jr. I enjoyed knowing him during my childhood years and having many talks about the Cowboys and Eagles rivalry. I’m very saddened by the loss of him and my prayers are with everyone in his family.
Frances S Paglia
Sharon – Such a great photo. In my heart. Fran
Paula Delcher Garretson
Don and I were great friends in high school. I dated his friend Ron Lambert. I will always remember his smile.
God has a new angel. Don’s smile and arms are around u Sharon always.
Gwendolyn Tolliver
Sharon, I am so sorry for your loss. Don was a great guy, and I had the pleasure of working with him for many years. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Susan Wellfare
Dear: Linda and family, Debbie and family, Sharon and family, Danielle and family, & Donnie and family. Donald was a great brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed !!! My heart is broken and very sad. Now he can be with Anita, Brent, and his mom and dad (Floyd & Florence France). Thank you for the beautiful video of him that I just watched. So beautiful !!! The last time I saw Don & Sharon were at Chuck & Debbie’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. Pam and I got to see Don and his friend when they came to Georgia for a Primerica Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, years ago. I have real good memories of Don and all of the France family !!! I remember that Linda, Donald, Anita, & Debbie were part of a swim team. My sisters and I would go to the pool with them to watch them swim growing up. I remember my younger sister, Kim, would hold onto my mom’s leg when Donald would talk to her. 🙂 My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you for your loss of Don !!!!! My heart is broken !!! May God Bless each and everyone of you and hold you in the palm of His hand !!! May God comfort all of you real good !!! – Love, Pam & family, Susan & family, and Kim & family oxoxoxo
Susan Wellfare
Dear: Linda and family, Debbie and family, Sharon and family, Danielle and family, & Donnie and family, Kim, Rob, Stephanie, & Little Brent. Donald was a great brother, uncle, husband, father, and grandfather. He will be greatly missed !!! My heart is broken and very sad. Now he can be with Anita, Brent, and his mom and dad (Floyd & Florence France). Thank you for the beautiful video of him that I just watched. So beautiful !!! The last time I saw Don & Sharon were at Chuck & Debbie’s 25th Wedding Anniversary. Pam and I got to see Don and his friend when they came to Georgia for a Primerica Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, years ago. I have real good memories of Don and all of the France family !!! I remember that Linda, Donald, Anita, & Debbie were part of a swim team. My sisters and I would go to the pool with them to watch them swim growing up. I remember my younger sister, Kim, would hold onto my mom’s leg when Donald would talk to her. 🙂 My thoughts and prayers go out to all of you for your loss of Don !!!!! My heart is broken !!! May God Bless each and everyone of you and hold you in the palm of His hand !!! May God comfort all of you real good !!! – We are truly sorry that we cannot be there for Don’s Memorial Service (Celebration of His Life) !!! – Love, Pam & family, Susan & family, and Kim & family oxoxoxo
Jill
What a huge loss this is. Don was the kind of person you felt lucky to have as a friend. My deepest condolences to all of his family, he loved you all with all of his big heart, especially you Sharon. The video is beautiful and reflects how much Don adored you all. 💔
He will be missed.
Jane Griswold
To Don’s family. So sorry to hear this. Know he will be greatly missed by his family, friends and community. Thinking of you. Jane
Laura
My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Steve & Donna Owens
Sharon, we are so sorry for your loss.
Vickie Rzemieniewski
To the entire France family Uncle Don was wonderful caring husband, brother, uncle, grandfather and a wonderful friend who would do anything for anybody. I will miss his talks about football but most of all I will miss his words of advice and guidance. I know he is home with our master and other family members. I know I will see my friend again. Until we see each other again rest in peace my friend ❤
David Stenroos
That was such a great video. It’s a sad time loosing both Don and Anita in such a short time. I know in my heart they will be missed greatly. God bless to the families our thoughts and prayers are with you. We love you guys, David and Chris
Patsy Carlson
My sincere sympathy to you and your family
Do n was one of a kind. He will be sorely missed. My prayers and thoughts are with you. Take care of yourself .You have had too much sadness lately. Pat Carlson.
Lillian callaway
Sharon and Family, I am so very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with all members of Don’s family thru this difficult time. God bless.
Love you
Pastor Hayden
Don was always an encouragement to me and such a giving person. His devotion and love to his family, and his God were undeniably. The world has lost some of its joy. But the party in heaven just got better.
Kurt J. Dolze
I wrote a very long piece about my love for Donald Harvey France on my Facebook page (Kurt Judson Dolze) which was posted on May 17 of this year. I am certain that it is not appropriate to repeat such a long offering here but I urge Don’s Friends and Family to take a peek when you have a moment. He was a Lion of a Man and a great Friend to me and so many. I am sad that he is gone from this mortal coil but I have no doubt that in God’s good time that Don and so many will be reunited under the brilliant light of our LORD and Savior Jesus Christ.
Just a word or two. He was my Friend, my teammate in so many sports, my ride to school each day in High School, my comforter when I lost my Mom, Dad, Sisters, and my brother Rex, my Friend, my Brother. He and the Cagles (Nate, Karl, and Kenny), Buddy West, Charley Woodring, and Bobby Merrill all jointly roamed the expanse of Fenwick Avenue and thereabouts in Kiamensi Gardens during our youth. We loved each other and still do. Don asked me to join the Order of DeMolay one afternoon while we were leaving Sunnyside Swim Club. I did so just because he asked and darned if I did not end up as State Master Councilor a few years later. Cub Scout Den 12 of Pack 160 and Troop 30 of the Boy Scouts of America were our stomping grounds for many a year and we literally grew up together and got to know legends such as Bobby Johnson, Gary Davis, Mr. “Pally” Heal, Earl “The Hawk” Ziegler, Tommy Gue and his Father “The Corporal”, PW, Howard, and so many others. What joy to be with Pork (the name my unique and loving Father Norm gave him) and live the life of Stanton Schools, Camp Rodney, Summer Bowling League at Pleasant Hills, Sunnyside Swim Team, St. Mark’s Church Softball, Dickinson High School sports to play and watch, basketball after school pretty much each day at Buddy’s house, a million games of wiffleball on my folks’ communal home at 220 Fenwick down the street a bit, golfing and bowling with Floyd and getting our butts kicked by his extraordinary talent, spending time listening to my Mom talk to her best friend Florence on the phone so many times a week, Foxmo, Ralphie, Gus, Newport Blue Basketball and those Sunday games at Conrad, keeping an eye out for Pots and Pans, the Mudmobile, France’s Alley, Halloween, and so much else. Three or four lifetimes before we hit 21!
And I wasn’t going to do this. So let me just say that I extend the sympathy of the Doelze Family, both here and those already gone, to Sharon, Matthew, Don Jr., Danielle, my old pals Linda and Debbie (so sorry for Anita whom I teased but loved a ton), Katie, Mackenna, Carolina, Cameron, and Nathan. May our loving God assuage you of your collective pain at this most difficult time and leave you all with the memory of a fine Man whose life was well lived and who was greatly loved by others. I thank the LORD for sharing Him with us for a while and look forward to the Reunion in the Hereafter which will be a joyous event, of that I have no doubt.
Bye Pork. You were and are the Best. I love you and always have and always will. Rex tips his cap to you from Heaven as do others we’ll talk about after a while.
John Masten
Sharon, I am so sorry to hear about Don’s passing. He was a wonderful, kind and caring friend. I will keep you and your family in my prayers.
Karen Windsor-Long
Sharon and Family,
I am stunned and saddened by Don’s passing. He was a wonderful and kind man and he will be greatly missed. I am blessed to have known him. My deepest sympathies.