Obituary of Donley G. Mauro

Donley G. Mauro (78) longtime resident of St. Maries, ID passed away at Kootenai Health in Coeur d’ Alene, ID on September 25, 2016. He was born to George and Mabel Mauro on January 18, 1938 in Billings, MT. Shortly after Donnie was born, the family relocated to St. Maries, ID, specifically Milltown where the family opened Mauro’s Dairy. Donnie attended school in St. Maries, ID until he was a sophomore at St. Maries High School. At the time, Donnie and a friend of his had a box of dynamite and they blew up a lookout tower. The judge gave the kids the option of jail or the military. Donnie left school as a sophomore and enlisted into the US Army. Donnie was stationed in Colorado and Germany. He had the opportunity to visit Italy while in the military. He was a sharp shooter, bridge specialist, construction foreman, engineer, and his last duty assigned was with 552 Engineer Company. After Donnie was honorably discharged, he returned to St. Maries and went to work in the woods for several local logging companies. Following his logging career he went into construction and did some blasting. He became self-employed and was a heavy equipment operator. In 1959 Donnie married Odessa Miller and they had 3 children Debra, Jeanette, and Donley Jr. The marriage ended in divorce. In 1967 he married Linda Swam and welcomed her children as his own Bill, Terry, Diane, and Vickie. Donnie and Linda had 2 of their own children Dirk and Angel. The couple were divorced, but the family and children remained very close. Donnie met Ness Dodge in 1982 at Holsteins bar where she worked. One day Donnie walked in, looked at Ness, and said “You’re going to be my woman”. Ness flat out told him “no” and that she “didn’t like him”. He was persistent for 6 months trying to date Ness when she finally caved in and said yes to a date. The couple married June 28, 1985 in Columbia Falls, MT. Donnie retired at the age of 62; however he still worked part-time for himself unthawing pipes and construction work. He also worked part-time for Wemhoff Brothers Construction. He enjoyed fishing and hunting. Ness considered herself a hunting and fishing widow when the seasons rolled around. Donnie loved fishing and taught his children how to fish; however he never used a fishing pole. He enjoyed blowing things up, and this is how Donnie fished! He enjoyed repairing equipment, but he did it his way. He was a MacGyver and most things he worked on were “Jimmy Rigged”, but that is how he fixed things. Donnie liked being mischievous and tormenting people. He loved all the dogs he had over the years. Donnie was a great cook who was well known for his rigatoni sauce, smoked turkeys, and oyster stew on Christmas even if half the family ordered pizza to go with it. He also made outstanding Amaretto, and he loved sharing all of his goodies with friends and family. Donnie is survived by his wife Ness at the family home; sons Donley Mauro Jr. of Boise, Dirk (Melissa) Mauro of St. Maries, ID, Bill (Bonnie) Swam of Emida, ID, and Terry Swam of St. Maries; daughters Debbie (Scott) Thornbrugh of Coeur d' Alene, Idaho, Jeanette Mauro of Coeur d’ Alene, ID, Angel (Mitch) Donohoe of Medimont, ID, Vickie (Gary) Schwartz, Diane (Jim) Lounsbury, and Terrie Derry of St. Maries, ID, Jessica Williams of CA and Stephanie Williams of AK. Also surviving are his brother Steve Mauro and sister Mary Turner both of St. Maries, ID. 18 grandchildren, 44 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews. Donnie is preceded in death by his parents, sister Marge Donnenwirth, niece Lori Lamb, and grandson Justin Swam. A memorial service will be Saturday October 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm at Hodge Funeral Home in St. Maries, ID. A potluck gathering of family and friends will follow at the Eagles Lodge in St. Maries, ID.