Daniel Thomas Mayer

Daniel Thomas Mayer, a decorated World War II veteran who served in the U.S. Navy, died Wednesday at Burke Hospice after a short illness. He was 97 years old.Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Dan served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Copahee in the South Pacific and spent time on a variety of the islands in the South Pacific.After returning home from his service, Dan worked for Trade Press Publishing Company until his retirement in 1981 at age 65. In 1983 he and his wife retired to the beautiful foothills of North Carolina and made Burke County their home where they enjoyed the rest of their years.He enjoyed woodworking, fishing, landscaping, making and inventing things that made life easier and was quite the jokester. He attended Mulls Grove Baptist Church with his wife.He is preceded in death by his parents, Warren George Mayer and Mary Grace "Mayme" Cummisford Mayer; his sister, Iva Grace Mayer Durhen, and his loving wife, Gertrude Ruth Davey Mayer.Those left to morn his passing are his adoring children, Barbara Mayer Smith Fleming and Gregory Alan Mayer and his special friend, Sandra Presnell; his grandchildren, Daniel Ronald Smith and his fiancé, Susan Deal, Donald Richard Smith and his wife, Dawn Mull Smith, Deanne Renee Smith and her fiancé, James Ashley Avery, Sheri Lynne Mayer Toner and her husband, Trent Toner, and Jay Joseph Mayer; great-grandchildren, James Richard Smith and his wife, Alesia Smith, Madison Blake Causby, Ava Rae Smith, Tess Adeline Causby, Jameson Thomas Toner, and Finley Grace Toner; one great-great granddaughter, Haven Rose Smith; and one beloved niece, Joan Durhen of Denver, Colorado.

Receiving of friends will be held at Sossoman Funeral Home from 4:00 pm until 5:00 pm, Friday, May 9, 2014, with the funeral to immediately follow and entombment thereafter at Burke Memorial Park.Memorial contributions can be made in his honor to Burke Hospice, 1721 Enon Rd., Valdese, NC 28690.