Donald William Schwartz, 87, of North Platte, passed away October 20, 2015 at Centennial Park Retirement Village. He was born to Raymond Phillip and Marie (Calmer) Schwartz on November 13, 1927 at Norfolk, NE. He was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran faith at St. John’s Lutheran Church (LCMS) in rural Madison, NE. He briefly attended St. John’s Green Garden School before entering Madison High School. He worked in Omaha for a time and later hired out as a clerk on the Union Pacific Railroad. He retired for the Union Pacific in 1989 having completed over 39 years of service. He was an active member of Our Redeemer Lutheran Church. He attended Bible class, and served as church treasurer for numerous years. He was a charter member of the Diamond K Kiwanis Club, served as president and board member and was active in the club’s volunteer projects. He was also an active member of the Union Pacific Club #8 and RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program). He is survived by his wife, Joan of North Platte; a daughter, Nadine (Jim) Avary of Milford, NE; a son, Reverend Nathaniel (Gretchen) Schwartz of Rochester, MN; his brothers, Stanley (Peggee) of Lee’s Summit, Missouri and Vernon (Vicki) of Strawberry Point, Iowa; grandchildren, Angela and Jonathan Davis and Andrew (Kaitlin) Schwartz; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Schwartz, Mardell Schwartz, Esther Hawley, and Edna Paris; brothers-in-law, Darrel Lyon and William Kusch; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters, Marilyn Lyon and Lois Schwartz; and brothers, Ervin and Eugene Schwartz. In lieu of flowers memorials are encouraged to Lutheran Hour Ministries and Orphan Grain Train. Online condolences may be shared at www.carpentermemorial.com. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Saturday, October 24, 2015 at Our Redeemer Lutheran Church with the Reverends Nathaniel Schwartz and Robert Wiest officiating. Burial will be at the North Platte Cemetery. Visitation will be 8:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Carpenter Memorial Chapel, which is in charge of arrangements.