Greenfield- Donald "Don" E. Vetterling Sr., 86, of Smith St., died Thursday 1/12 at the Baystate Franklin Medical Center in Greenfield. He was born on January 15, 1925, the son of William C. and Katherine B. (Fritz) Vetterling, formerly of River St.

Don attended local schools in Greenfield and was a graduate of Greenfield High School Class of 1942, where he met Margaret M. Lebert, his future wife. He was a resident of Greenfield his entire life.

In WW II he served with the U.S. Army 4422nd Quartermaster's Corps in France and the Philippines, and rose to the rank of staff sergeant.

After the war, he received business training with the Greenfield Gas Light Co. from 1945-55, and with the B&M Railroad from 1955-57. He became Greenfield's Assistant Veterans' Agent in 1957 and then Director in 1963. He retired in 1988, after 30 years of service, with special citations from the Massachusetts state Senate, the State House of Representatives, and from former Governor Michael Dukakis. Complementing his role as Veterans' Agent, Donald was a member of the Massachusetts Veterans' Agents Association, a past president and life-member of the Western Mass. Veterans' Agents Association, a member of American Legion Post 81, and a member of VFW Post 417. For many years, he also served as Greenfield's Director of Civil Defense.

Outside of work, Donald had many other hobbies and interests. He played piano and for many years was a member of a professional music ensemble, being also a member and past treasurer of Local 621 of the American Federation of Musicians. As a loyal Red Sox fan for his entire life, he rarely missed watching Boston Red Sox games. He was also an active gardener who grew more than he used, and who donated the excess to friends and to a local food kitchen. To keep his mind sharp, he successfully completed a Greenfield Recorder crossword puzzle every day.

Don was predeceased by his wife, the former Margaret M. Lebert on January 28, 2003 and a daughter, Louise A. Ellis on February 22, 2000.

Among his survivors Donald leaves two sons, William T. Vetterling, Ph.D. and his wife May-Anne of Lexington, Donald E. Jr. and his wife Wendy of Longmont, CO, a daughter Mary K. Vetterling-Braggin, Ph.D. and her husband Allan of Ramsey, NJ, a son-in-law Michael Ellis of South Deerfield, five grandchildren, Jennifer and Jessica Braggin, Amy Ellis Durini, Neal and Christopher Ellis, and three great grandchildren Samantha, Claire and Jonathan Ellis.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday 1/19 at 8:15am at Kostanski Funeral Home, 220 Federal St., Greenfield followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 9am in Blessed Sacrament Church with the Rev. Timothy J. Campoli, officiating . Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 7-9 pm at the funeral home.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blessed Sacrament Church, 182 High St., Greenfield, MA 01301 or to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.