Donald Andrew Abercrombie

Donald Andrew Abercrombie, 77, passed away on October 19, 2015 in Las Vegas, NV, surrounded by loved ones. Born on August 11, 1938 in Grand Rapids, Michigan to George and Bernice Abercrombie, Don was the oldest of three children. In 1945, the family relocated to Corona, California where they quickly became active within the community. St. Edwards Catholic Church was a pivotal part of Don’s life; the family would live in what was the original rectory after the new church was built. Don attended St. Edwards Catholic School and graduated from St. Francis De Sales High School in Riverside, CA. He has great respect for his faith and this drew him to join the seminary to begin his formation as a priest. A few years thereafter he left the seminary and graduated from the California College of Mortuary Science in December of 1959. For over 57 years Don served families while working for several funeral homes throughout California. It was while working at Lodi Funeral Home that he met Carol Ipock at a coffee shop where she was a waitress. They were married in Carson City on November 6, 1966. While living and working in Fullerton for Walters and McCormick Mortuary, Don was offered a partnership in the firm, later having controlling interest and renaming it Abercrombie and Walters Mortuary. While Don was known his entire professional career as “Digger” and everyone knew him by that, as he officially retired and became closer to family and friends he was simply known as “Pops”.

Don was preceded in death by his wife Carol; parents George and Bernice and recently his brother Bob. He is survived by his two daughters, Tina Abercrombie-McDonald and Maria Elena Abercrombie of Paso Robles, CA; sons, Greg of Paso Robles, CA, Rick of Boise, ID, Tom of Yucaipa, CA, Michael of Ogden, UT, Grant of Canon City, CO and Glenn of Las Vegas, NV; his sister Shirley Sutton of China Lake, CA; 16 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and host of family members, friends and colleagues.

There will be a visitation on Saturday, October 24 from 1-4pm at Palm Eastern Mortuary, 7600 South Eastern Ave., Las Vegas and Sunday, October 25 from 4-8pm at Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary, 11500 Arlington Avenue, Riverside, CA, with a Vigil Service at 6:00pm. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, October 26 at 11:00am at St. Francis De Sales Catholic Church, 4268 Lime Street, Riverside, CA. Interment will follow at Pierce Bros. Crestlawn Memorial Park and Mortuary. Floral tributes may be sent to Pierce Brothers Crestlawn Mortuary. Please visit www.palmeastern.com to leave condolences and memories.