ELLSWORTH – Donald E. Saunders, 78, died Sept. 6, 2008, at his home. He was born Nov. 25, 1929, in Wilmington, Mass., the son of Richard H. and Della M. Saunders. Donald was married to Charlyne M. Nickerson of Crouseville in 1947. He served in the Air Force, 1947-1950, as a radio operator to aircraft, and was involved in the Berlin Airlift. Donald worked for the Federal Aviation Administration – FAA, for 34 years, serving in Alaska, Maine and New Hampshire. He retired as a chief of flight service stations and settled in Ellsworth with his wife. In Donald’s spare time, he had worked as a photographer, gunsmith and supported local gun clubs. His hobbies included photography, astronomy, oil painting, fishing and hunting, and antique trading. He was predeceased by his wife, Charlyne M. (Nickerson) Saunders, Feb. 5, 1997. Donald is survived by two sons, Wayne J. Saunders of White River Junction and Bruce S. Saunders of Sulphur, Okla.; eight grandchildren, five great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Jean (Saunders) Williams of Brookfield, Conn., and Ruth (Saunders) Eck of Stephenville, Texas. In keeping with his request, there will be no funeral or visiting hours. A graveside service will be held 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 20, at Hillside Grove Cemetery, Crouseville. A service of Bragdon-Kelley Funeral Home, 215 Main St., Ellsworth. www.bragdonkelley.com