Jan. 11, 1923 - July 16, 2015
Merton E. Domonoske passed away at Renown Regional Medical Center in Reno on July 16, 2015. He was born in Berkeley, CA on January 11, 1923 to Arthur B. and Gladys E. Domonoske and had lived in Fallon most of his adult life. Mr. Domonoske comes from an early California pioneer ranch family who settled in Dayton in the early 1850’s. He grew up on the Stanford University Campus where his father was head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering. He attended the local schools graduating from Palo Alto High School in 1940. Later that summer he left home and enrolled at the University of Nevada in Reno and later graduated with honors in 1947. He was a member of Sigma Rho Delta Fraternity, named outstanding junior student, Military Science and Tactics, and presented with an award by the Governor of Nevada. In 1942, during World War II, he enlisted in the Army as a private and later became a commissioned officer graduating from the Infantry School at Fort Benning, GA. He served in the Pacific as a combat platoon leader in the 165th Infantry Regiment(“The Fighting Irish”). He was on Okinawa, his regiment was preparing to invade Japan, when the atomic bombs were dropped and went into Japan airborne on D day+2 and was stationed there as part of the Army of Occupation for the next eleven months. After he returned from service in 1946, he completed his senior year. He served as president of Scabbard & Blade, a national military fraternity, later becoming Corp Area Inspector in charge of the fraternities at the University of Nevada, University of Arizona and UCLA. Following graduation from the University of Nevada, he enrolled at the State College of Washington at Pullman, to obtain his Masters Degree in Agriculture economics. During Christmas vacation, the Farmers Home Administration, USDA approached him to work for them in Nevada and he accepted being assigned to the Caliente office and later put in charge of the Fallon office. He came to Fallon in 1948 where he met and married Nadine Hursh (Domonoske). His father in law Ernie Hursh was Mayor of Fallon at the time. A few years later, he joined Nadine and her father in the Insurance and Real Estate business. He and Nadine operated E.H. Hursh, Inc for forty one years, purchasing the business, and were active in its management until the time of her death in 1995. Mr. Domonoske served four terms as Mayor of Fallon and three terms as a council member for a total of 27 years in city government. He also served as president of the Nevada League of Cities and ten years as chairman of the Churchill County Republican Central Committee. He is past president of the Churchill County Chamber of Commerce, Fallon Rotary Club, Navy League, Fallon Shrine Club, Fallon Board of Realtors, and the Nevada Real Estate Commission. He served as a Presidential Elector for Gerald Ford and an Alternate Delegate at the Republican National Convention nominating Ronald Reagan. He was a member of the Carson River Task Force and State Ethics Commission. During the Korean War, he organized and commanded the Fallon National Guard Unit. He is listed in the Who’s Who in Commerce and Industry. He was a member of the Masons, serving as Eminent Commander, High Priest and Illustrious Master in York Rite Masonry, a Shriner, Charter member of the Fallon Elks Lodge, American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Republican Central Committee, Churchill Riders, Mr. & Mrs. Dance Club, Community Concert, Churchill County Museum Association, Antique Auto Club of America, The Capitol Hill Club, Greenhead Hunting Club, Marine’s Memorial Club, National Federation of Independent Business, Nevada Independent Insurance Agents, Nevada Realtors, and S0-Par-O-Van Golf Club, which he and five others started, including finding the land, financing and building the golf course. He held licenses in both real estate and insurance. In December 1995, Mert married Paula Coverston Domonoske. He retired and sold the Insurance business to a nephew the next year. Surviving are his wife Paula, children Rick Coverston and wife Donna, their son Erick and wife Kriss; his daughter Chandra (Mattie’s Mom) preceded him in death; daughter Kendi Coverston Yates and husband Ken; their children Kenten Yates, Kendra Yates Acquistapace and husband Cody; Kenna Yates Barber and husband Gary; son Chad Coverston and great grandchildren Mattie, Aili, Evie, Clint, Jocelyn and Caiden; niece Sally Free; Nadine’s nieces Kathryn Gonzalez and family; Licia Rogne and husband Fred and family; and many cousins; Paula’s brother Pastor Bob Prudler and wife Janene and family; sister Candy Howard and husband Terry and family and numerous other extended family members. A memorial service will be held on Thursday, July 30th, at 2PM at Smith Family Funeral Home, 505 Rio Vista Dr., Fallon, NV 89406. 775-423-2255. Inurnment will follow at the Fallon cemetery. The family suggests donations be made in Mert’s memory to the charity of your choice or one of the many organizations listed above.