Donald A. Custer, a longtime resident of Swarthmore, passed away Friday, April 10, 2015, surrounded by his loving family. He had recently celebrated his 85th birthday.

Don was born in Terre Haute, Indiana to the late Walter J. and Katherine (Burkhardt) Custer. Don's childhood years were spent in Terre Haute, Indiana, Peoria, Illinois, Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio.

After graduation from Worthington High School in Worthington, Ohio, Don enrolled at The Ohio State University in Columbus and in the U. S. Air Force ROTC. He graduated from OSU in 1952 with a B.S. in Business Administration. He was commissioned as 2nd Lt. in the USAF, Auditor General Group. Don worked his way through college with jobs at the U.S. Post Office, the University library, The National Biscuit Co. (Nabisco), as an usher at OSU football games, and as assistant to a landscaper. In addition to his commitment to the USAF, upon graduation, Don joined the Dayton office of the national accounting firm Touche, Niven, Bailey and Smart.

Don and Mary (Busam) Custer were married for 60 years at the time of Mary's passing in 2013. The couple met on a blind date at an OSU winter dance. The newlyweds were married in April of 1953 and lived in Roseville, Michigan. Mary was a ticket agent for TWA while Don, on leave from the accounting firm, was on active duty with the USAF. That summer Don received overseas orders and they moved to Bitburg, Germany. While stationed in Germany their first child, Steve, was born and Don was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. The young family returned to Dayton in the fall of 1954.

With his Air Force service completed, Don resumed duties in the audit department at the accounting firm. His job took the family, which now included Steve, Jim, and Cathy, to Riverside, California and then back to Dayton where Sue and Tom were born. The family enjoyed living near Mary's parents in Dayton and they were only a state away from Don's family in Indiana. Don's next transfer was to Cincinnati where they remained until August 1969 when the family moved to Swarthmore.

Don's promotion to the Philadelphia office as Director of Audit Quality Control and later as Audit Partner, would be the start of a 32 year tenure. Don left Touche in 1984 and served as Treasurer for Industrial Valley Title Insurance Co. in Philadelphia, then as accountant for the Bank of the Brandywine Valley, West Chester, followed by Account Manager with U. S. Managed Care in Malvern. His last position was with Elko & Associates, Media where he was Director of Quality Control for the audit practice. While still working for area firms, Don established his private practice providing accounting, tax, and consulting services until his death.

Don and Mary were active members of Trinity Episcopal Church in Swarthmore. Don was an usher, volunteered as cashier for the Trinity Thrift Shop, and was treasurer for Partners in Ministry. They owned The Studio in Swarthmore, a gift shop for craft and fine art. Following the retirement of Mary's two partners, Don, still working full time, became The Studio's CFO, and was an enthusiastic shopkeeper along with daughters Cathy and Sue.

The Studio closed in 2009 after 28 years as a Swarthmore village mainstay.

Don and Mary enjoyed playing tennis, bridge, and gardening. Don kept in touch with longtime friends through Mary's Handicrafters group. Over the years, he was known for the delicious coffee cake he baked for friends and family. The family recipe was taught to Don as a youngster by his maternal Grandmother. He was an avid reader of books on history and world cultures. Autumn Saturdays were reserved to watch Buckeye football. Ever patient, he liked working jigsaw puzzles; the more pieces the better! He did the daily crossword puzzles, in INK!

The eldest of 6 children, Don was preceded in death by a brother, Douglas, in infancy; sister, Shirley (Custer) Kaiser; and brother-in-law, Robert Kaiser. Surviving siblings are Richard Custer and wife Nancy of Canal Winchester, OH; John Custer and wife Tama Cole of Dallas, TX; and Lynne (Custer) Lingenfelter and husband Dwight of Centerpoint, IN. Don will also be remembered by many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Don is survived by his five children, Steven Custer of Boston, MA; James Custer and wife Gail of Grayson, GA; Catherine Custer and Susan Custer, both of Swarthmore; and Thomas Stender-Custer and husband John of San Diego, CA; two grandchildren, Andrew Custer of Escondido, CA; and Jennifer (Custer) Baer and husband Chad, of Haymarket, VA and one great-grandchild, Isla Baer.

Don's life will be celebrated on Saturday, May 16th at Trinity Episcopal Church, 301 N. Chester Road, Swarthmore. Visitation begins at noon, followed by the church service at 1:00 p.m. A reception will be held after the service in the parish hall. Interment will be private.

Memorials may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church or the American Heart Association through the Nolan-Fidale Funeral Home, 5980 Chichester Avenue, Aston, PA 19014, www.nolanfidale.com