Capt. Donald M. Wyand USN Ret., 91, Winona Lake, passed away at 2:18 a.m. Monday, Feb. 23, 2015, in Grace Village Health Care, Winona Lake.

Captain Wyand was born on May 23, 1923, in Kisbey, Saskatchewan, Canada to Hedley and Violet (Milne) Wyand. He attended public schools in Santa Paula, California, where he was a member of the basketball team and the Letterman’s Club. He married Barbara Baldwin on Aug. 19, 1945, in Greenville, Michigan, who preceded him on Aug. 19, 2012.

After graduation, Don went to San Jose State and joined the Naval Reserve. He enlisted in the Navy on March 16, 1942, and commenced flight school in June 1943 at Ely, Nevada, St. Mary’s and Norman. He was designated a Naval Aviator in April of 1945 and reported to Torpedo Squadron Forty One which embarked in the escort carriers Bairoko, Baedong Strait, Rendova and Point Cruz. In July 1948, he went to inactive duty.

From 1948 to 1952, he attended Western Michigan University and continued post-graduate studies at the University of Michigan. He was recalled to active duty and assigned to Fleet Staff, Comfairseattle in 1952. In 1953, he reported to Fleet All weather Training Unit, Pacific as a Night Attack and Instrument Instructor. He was ordered to the Naval Examining center, Great lakes in 1955 as Aviator Section Head. He was a graduate of the General Line School, Monterey, California, the Armed Forces Staff College and the Naval Intelligence School, Washington D.C. In September 1958, he reported to the USS Bennington. He was ordered to CVG-9 Staff in April 1960 as Operations Officer. Two Westpac deployments were completed in Ranger from 1961 to 1963. In 1963 and 1964, he served as executive Officer of Atkrons 125 and 113. He also participated in the flight operations incident to the summer of 1964, Laos crisis.

In October 1964, he was ordered to the “Fighting Redcocks” of Attack Squadron 22 as Commanding Officer. In 1965, Captain Wyand participated in 161 combat missions in Southeast Asia from USS Midaway. He was awarded two Distinguished Flying Crosses, fifteen Air Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with a Bronze Star and Palm, and his squadron was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation. He reported to USS Coral Sea as Navigator in November 1965 and in July 1966, he became the Operations Officer. In May of 1967, he reported to Staff, Cincpacflt as Striking Forces Officer and later as Command and Control Officer.

In 1970, Captain Wyand assumed control of the USS Kawishiwi AO-146 in Pearl Harbor and was sent to London, England as operations officer. After two years in England, Don was sent to Athens, Greece as commanding officer, Navy Fleet, Support Facility before returning home to the U.S. for retirement in 1975.

Captain Wyand was featured in “Life Magazine” in 1965. While in Coronado, California, he was President of the local homeowner’s association, President of Coronado Play House and a member of the City Council. He was an Umpire for the U.S. Tennis Association and was Marshal for the Andy Williams PGA Tournament. He enjoyed playing and teaching tennis, doing volunteer work at the hospital and playing in local plays. Most recently, he was a member of the Optimist Breakfast Club and attended the Chapel of Grace Village.

Don is also survived by two daughters: Susan (and spouse Bill) Allen, Leesburg, and Nancy (and spouse Bruce) Stambler, Crossville, Tenn.; a son: Donald (and spouse Silda) Wyand, Honolulu, Hawaii; seven grandchildren: J.B. (and spouse Lisa) Van Meter, Carmel, Joshua Wyand, Honolulu, Hawaii, Ethan Wyand, Honolulu, Hawaii, Kelly Stambler, San Francisco, Calif., Robert Stambler, Los Angeles, California, Dawna (and spouse Don) McCune, Chapman Lake, and Nick Allen, New Orleans, La.; four great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; five brothers: Norman, Frank, Neil, Clement and Allen; one sister: Patsy.

Burial will take place in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, Calif.
There is no visitation planned. McHatton-Sadler Funeral Chapel, Warsaw is entrusted with the arrangements.

Memorial contributions may be made to:
Animal Welfare League of Kosciusko Co.
P.O. Box 1906
Warsaw, IN 46581-1906
Or
Beaman Home
P.O. Box 12
Warsaw, IN 46581-12

To sign the guest register or leave condolences, electronically go to mchattonsadlerfuneralchapels.com.