Donald Chambers

Born on December 15, 1929, Don is the son of the late Arthur Chambers and the late Hazel Rush Chambers. He was a lifelong resident of the Mansfield area.

Always known as an industrious person, Don had his first entrepreneurial experience at the age of 4, when he and his brother sold imitation corsages to couples leaving the movie theatre downtown. His first “real” job was pumping gas with his father when he was just ten years old.

Don graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1948 and he married the love of his life, Jean Boylan, and together they had two children, Michael and Elaine.

After returning home from the Navy, Don worked for many years as a lather in the construction industry. In 1957, he founded J&B Acoustical, a commercial construction company that resides in Lexington, Ohio and is currently a four-generation family business.

Also a professional and civic-minded person, Don served as a longtime member of the AWCI (Association of Wall and Ceiling Industries International) and was awarded the Pinnacle Award in 1990, the association’s highest distinction. He also served on multiple boards in the Mansfield area and, together with his wife, created the Chambers Family Foundation with the Monsignor Edward C. Dunn Foundation for Education to assist students in need with college scholarships. In 2014, he was inducted into the North Central Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame.

Don was fortunate enough to enjoy a long retirement with his wife Jean, and together they traveled the world. As well as his professional accomplishments, Don was also a skilled sailor and licensed pilot, and together Don and Jean spent much of their time in Florida and the Bahamas - often trekking through the ocean in their boat, Down the Way.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Jean (Boylan) Chambers, son Michael (Carol) Chambers, daughter Elaine (Ken) Navratil, five grandchildren Jonathan (Linda) Chambers, Adam (Greg) Navratil, Elizabeth (DJ) Daniels, Joel (Amanda) Chambers, Arron (Andrea) Navratil and six great grandchildren Maddy, Zoe, Mae, Addison, Kit, Andre.

Calling hours will be held February 15, 2015 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, February 16,, 2015 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 104 W. First St., Mansfield, at 10:30 a.m. with Father Gregory Hite officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Chambers Family Foundation in care of the Dunn Foundation or Vero Beach Hospice.