February 16, 1943 to April 23, 2011

Donald James Abernethy, 68, of Island Lake, passed away Saturday, April 23, 2011, in Essentia Health St. Mary's Medical Center due to complications from pneumonia. Donald was born the oldest of four sons, to James A. and Patricia A. (Glennie) Abernethy in Duluth. He grew up in the Duluth Heights neighborhood and still maintained many friendships from there. He was a 1961 graduate of Duluth Central High School.

Donald was the owner of Industrial Welders & Machinists, which has been a family-owned and operated business since Donald's father, James A. Abernethy, started it in 1952. Donald began his career as a welder and then went on to be the shop foreman at the age of 23. Through the following years he ran the company with his brothers and longtime best friend, John "Red" Larson. In February 2011, his dream finally became a reality when he became the sole owner of the company in hopes of soon retiring and turning the company over to his four children.

In his spare time, Donald enjoyed working on and modifying garden tractors. He also loved cars, mainly his two prized 1958 Ford Edsel's. His '58 convertible Edsel, known as "Miss Precious," was his favorite car and won many awards at old car shows. The past few years, diabetes had taken a toll on his health, and he was not able to attend as many of the old car shows he so much enjoyed where he was known as the "Edsel Man". Donald was a member of the Elks Club, International Edsel Club, Northern Knights Car Club, Back to the Fifties Car Club, and National Corvette Owners Association.

Donald was preceded in death by his father, James, in 1993; mother Patricia in 2004; and brother Charles P. Abernethy, in 1981. Donald is survived by his sons, Randall (Amy), Richard (Victoria) and Robert Abernethy; daughter Dawn (Bruce) Bergh; grandchildren Jamie (Travis) Petersen, Ryan Abernethy, Calin Davidson, Rachel Abernethy, Elizabeth Abernethy, Jessica Abernethy, Tiffany (Matthew) Peterson and Lindsay Bergh; brothers Ronald (Cynthia) Abernethy and Scott (Susan) Abernethy; and former wife and mother of his children, Adelle Abernethy.