Donna L. Honsowetz, daughter of Charles "Charlie" (1888-1951) and Adelia A. (Johnson) (1892-1964) Honsowetz, was born 8 January 1925 in Michigan. She graduated from Okemos High School in 1942 and also graduated from Johns Hopkins Hospital school of nursing. She married James Robert Simanton 9 October 1948 in California. James, born 28 July 1922 in Michigan, was the son of Frank Lester (1875-1935) and Gertrude (Aldrich) (1880-1949) Simanton. James died 21 December 2002 in Washington state.

Lansing State Journal (Lansing, Michigan) Thursday 16 September 1948
The engagement of Miss Donna Honsowetz to N. James Simanton, son of Mrs. Gertrude A. Simanton of Benton Harbor, is announced by the bride-elect's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Honsowetz Park lake road, East Lansing. Miss Honsowetz attended Michigan State college and is a graduate of Johns Hopkins hospital school of nursing. Mr. Simanton was graduated from Michigan state college where he was affiliated with Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. The couple will be married October 9 in Berkeley, Cal.

The Herald Palladium. St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Michigan Sunday 12 January 2003
BENTON HARBOR -- James R. Simanton, former paper carrier for the News Palladium died on Dec. 21, 2002, in Scottsdale, Ariz., at the age of 80.
Born in Benton Harbor, Mich., Mr. Simanton was the fifth child of Frank L. and Gertrude Aldrich Simanton. Mr. Simanton's father was a noted entomologist as well as agricultural agent for Berrien County, Mich., and had taught school in the Philippine Islands shortly after the turn of the century. Frank L. Simanton's broad knowledge and interests instilled a similar scientific method of thought and wide-ranging outlook in James. James' ancestors also included the Howlands of Plymouth Colony, Massachusetts and Roger Williams, founder of the Colony of Rhode Island and a pioneering advocate of religious tolerance.
Mr. Simanton attended Benton Harbor High School where his activities included National Honor Society and performing in the school's renowned marching band. Additionally, he helped boost his family's income by delivering the News Palladium. Graduating in 1940, he entered Michigan State College (now Michigan State University), becoming a member of Lambda Chi fraternity. After the United States' entry into World War II, he enlisted in the U.S. Army. Originally assigned to the Coast Artillery Corps, he was transferred to the Signal Corps and trained in Texas, Louisiana, Pennsylvania and New Jersey prior to shipping to the European Theater. His service included rebuilding communications facilities at airfields in France and Germany. Upon his discharge in 1946, he resumed studies at MSC, graduating with a dual Bachelors of Science in Applied Science (Chemistry) and Electrical Engineering. He remained an enthusiastic fan of Michigan State sports teams for his entire life. Also while completing his degree, he met Donna Honsowetz of Okemos, Mich., a graduate of Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing, whom he married on Oct. 9, 1948, in Berkeley, Calif.
Early in his professional career, James assisted the faculty of the Carnegie Institute of Technology (now Carnegie Mellon) at Pittsburgh, Pa., in the discovery of Aluminum 26, a radioactive isotope of aluminum not previously known to exist, and in carbon-dating research on the Dead Sea Scrolls. In 1956, he entered upon a career in nuclear research, joining the staff of Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago to assist in particle accelerator development. In the late 1960s, he transferred to the new National Accelerator Laboratory (now Fermilab) at Batavia, Ill., where he specialized in the design and development of robotic systems for work in radiation areas. He retired from Fermilab in 1984. In 1975, James began to assist Mr. Carl Wegner in developing his concept for transmission of stereo sound via television signal, leading to the foundation of Telesonics, Inc. which developed and patented the television stereo system that became the world standard. The first tests of the system, conducted in coordination with station WTTW 11 Chicago, were made at the Simanton home in Glen Ellyn, Ill. Mr. Simanton served for several years as President and Board Chairman of Telesonics. Upon his retirement from active participation in Telesonics in 1995, Jim moved with Donna to Spokane, Wash. Both in Spokane and from their winter residence in Scottsdale, Ariz., he was extremely active in support of local charities and public service organizations. He continued this support in spite of a debilitating stroke suffered in 1998.
In pursuit of a lifelong hobby of architectural design, James designed and built the family home in Glen Ellyn, Ill., and designed his home in Spokane.
Widely admired for his keen intellect, determination, and irrepressible sense of humor, James dearly loved to share stories, jokes and philosophy with friends. Spurred by memories of the Great Depression, he was a lifelong activist for human rights and equal opportunity. In 1988, he endowed the James R. and Donna H. Simanton Foundation, which continues to support education, mental health, hunger relief and similar beneficial activities.
James R. Simanton is survived by his widow, Donna H. Simanton, and his sons James Michael Simanton and John Patrick Simanton, all of Spokane, Wash.
The family intends to observe a ceremony in celebration of his life in late spring, to be held in Qualchan Park, Spokane -- a park Mr. Simanton landscaped and donated to the local neighborhood. The service will be conducted by Westminster Congregational Church, of which he was a member.