Donald L. Granitz, 87, of Elkhart, died Thursday, January 28, 2016 at Heritage Point, Mishawaka. Don was born on August 24, 1928 in Ambridge, PA to Frank and Wilma Olga (Powell) Granitz. Don was preceded in death by his parents and wife of 60 years, Dorothy Jean (Huffman), in August of 2015. After accepting Christ as his Savior at 12, he felt a calling to be a missionary at age 16. At the age of 17 he enlisted in the Army. While there he played football for the Army Base Championship team in Hawaii. This led him to Taylor University in 1948 to play football - which was started that year by Coach Don Odle. At Taylor he played four sports and received 13 total varsity letters and would eventually become a charter member of Taylor's Athletic Hall of Fame earning the title of it "greatest athlete". Don was also a member of the first sports evangelism program ever called "Venture for Victory" (also led by Don Odle) that toured the Orient in 1952 playing basketball games all over and proclaiming the gospel at half time and through church meetings and camps. After graduation, although he was offered a contract to play quarterback for the Los Angeles Rams he remained committed to his calling to the mission field and turned them down. He remained at Taylor for three additional years to prepare for the mission field. During this time he earned a second degree from Taylor and a Master's of Divinity degree from Grace Theological Seminary and coaching the varsity football and baseball teams. He and Jean were married in 1951 and together served for 16 years in Brazil. He spent his time church planting as well as starting and overseeing a Bible college for training of local pastors. Upon returning to the U.S. in 1971 Don was Dean of Students and Athletic Director at Bethel College. After earning a Master's Degree in Nonprofit Administration from Notre Dame, he later worked at Elkhart General Hospital, Hudson Medical Clinic, and Hubbard Hill Retirement Village. He was on numerous boards and committees primarily at Taylor University and Beulah Missionary Church which was Don and Jean's home church. Don will be missed by many in the community and by the many friends they touched while in Brazil. His legacy lives on through his children, Donald A. (Janet) Granitz, West Lafayette, Lorie (Al) Lettinga, Grand Rapids, MI, Doug (Camille) Granitz, Walla Walla, WA, and Tom (Karen) Granitz, Goshen. Also surviving are three brothers, Hartford, David and Ron and a sister Carol; 15 grandchildren; 7 great-grandchildren; and Gamaliel (Joanna) Reeves, Elkhart. Friends may call Friday, February 5, 2016 from 6 to 8 pm, at Hartzler-Gutermuth-Inman Funeral Home and Saturday, February 6, from 10 am until the time of service at 11:30 am at the funeral home. Private graveside services will be held. Memorial contributions may be made to Taylor University for the Granitz Family Venture for Victory Scholarship, 236 W. Reade Ave, Upland, IN 46989, or the Granitz Family Athletic/ Mission Scholarship at Bethel College, 1001 Bethel Circle, Mishawaka, IN 46545.