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A Wetzel and Son Obituary for:
Donald Graham Motter
April 15, 1927 - April 20, 2026


Public Events and Locations

Memorial Service - Sunday, May 17, 2026, 12:00 PM at Grace Presbyterian Church, Jenkintown

Contacts

Funeral Home - Wetzel and Son Funeral Home - 419 Huntingdon Pike, Rockledge, PA 19046 - 215-663-8550 - Map
Clergy - Grace Presbyterian Church - 444 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046 - 215-887-6117 - Map
Donation - Grace Presbyterian Church - 444 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046 - 215-887-6117 - Map
Donation - WHYY - 150 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106 - 215-351-1200 - Map

The following obituary was composed by Donald’s family:

Donald Graham Motter, 99, of Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania, passed away peacefully on Monday, April 20, 2026, at Jefferson Abington Hospital. Don was born on April 15, 1927, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Donald was the son of the late Virgil and Hilda Motter (nee Graham). He was the beloved husband of the late Doris (nee MacNamee) for 73 years. Donald is survived by his daughters, Donna Jones (Greg), Dawn Murphy (Bob), and Diane Motter; his grandchildren Andrew Kreitschmann, Jonathan Kreitschmann, Elizabeth Erwin (Emmett), Brian Jones (Tori), Elizabeth Wiedinmyer (Dan), Christopher Murphy (Christina), Daniel Murphy (Danielka Zeledón), Donald Murphy (Annie), and Jesse Adelsberger; and his great-grandchildren Graham, Nolan, William, James, Eve, Sloane, Evan, Luke, Emmett, Samantha, Chloe, Nicholas, Matteo, Alessia, with one more on the way. He also leaves behind his brother Richard Motter (Susan) and the memory of his late brother Kenneth Motter, as well as loving nieces, nephews, and their families.

Donald grew up in Philadelphia and was a graduate of Simon Gratz High School. He served three years in the Merchant Marines and attended the Midshipman’s Academy in San Mateo, California. He dedicated his career to construction, beginning in masonry, later joining the Williams Company, and eventually becoming a foreman and supervisor at Richelieu Construction Company in Lawrenceville, New Jersey. Even after retirement, he worked at Geppert Lumber in Glenside until the age of 90.

Donald married his favorite dance partner, Doris, in 1948 at St. Luke’s in Germantown. Donald and Doris moved to Daytona Beach, Florida, returning to raise their 3 little girls in Philadelphia while building their Huntingdon Valley home on weekends. They moved to their new home in 1954. Known for his love of gardening, flying, tennis, pottery-making, and continual home improvement projects, he always found the time to help family and friends. Donald loved a good conversation, and staying engaged with the events of the world. In 2003, he built a second home on his property, creating a family compound for retirement.

A memorial service was held on Sunday, May 17, 2026, at 12:00 P.M. at Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046. The service was live streamed.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his memory to Grace Presbyterian Church, 444 York Road, Jenkintown, PA 19046 or WHYY, 150 North 6th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19106.

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