Donovan Waller Ackley

He was the son of Samuel Earl Ackley (1895-1977), longtime educator at Washington High School, and Bernice (Waller) Ackley (1900-1984).

Don was a staff sergeant during World War II in the US Army Air Force, serving in Iwo Jima.

He graduated from Washington High School in 1941, going on to earn both a BS and Master of Education degree from Kent State University.

He began his long career as an educator as a teacher and basketball coach at Edgefield Elementary School in 1949, becoming principal there 1956-1960. He opened William R. Day Elementary and served as principal there 1960-1964. He served as an Elementary Supervisor for the Stark County Department of Education. He was Assistant Superintendent for Marlington Local Schools and Director of Elementary Education for Jackson Local Schools.

Upon his retirement, he worked for Buckeye School Supplies, and then went on to work for the Ohio Student Loan Commission.

He was an active member of the McDonaldsville United Methodist Church for many years.

He was preceded in death by his brother, Ted Ackley. He is survived by his wife of 70 years, Anna Mae (Workinger) Ackley; son, Donovan Waller Ackley II (wife Virginia) of North Canton, Ohio; daughters, Susan Jane Richards of Water Valley, Mississippi, and Barbara Ann Kompik (husband Ed) of Painesville, Ohio; 8 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and 1 great-great-grandchild.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00am on Thursday in the Karlo-Libby Funeral Home with Pastor Erv Urschitz officiating. Interment will be in McDonaldsville St. Paul Cemetery. Friends may call from 6-8pm on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to Senior Independence Hospice, 1815 West Market Street, Akron, Ohio 44313.