Donald "Don" E. Valentine

Donald “Don” E. Valentine, age 87, passed away on Friday October 21, 2011 at Riverside Hospital surrounded by his family. He was born August 7, 1924 in Greentown, Ohio to Gladys Martin and Loring E. Valentine. He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Dona Lee Merriman Valentine; daughter, Valerie Valentine; sons, Donald M. (Cindy) Valentine and Robert (Laurie) Valentine; grandsons, Kellen and Kory; granddaughter, Kara; brother, Robert Valentine; sister, Delores Rogols; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. He graduated from Circleville High School in 1942. During his high school years he played in the band, captained the 1941 football and basketball teams all while delivering milk by horse and wagon before school for the family owned Blue Ribbon Dairy. After graduation he served with distinction in General Patton’s Third Army landing on Utah Beach on June 15, 1944. He was named commander of his anti-aircraft gun crew and in his honor the crew named the gun The Circleville. For meritorious service in connection with Battery C, 120th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion (Mobile) from June 15, 1944-May, 8 1945, he received the Bronze Star Medal and later the Jubilee of Liberty Medal. Following his military service he returned to Circleville, married and started a family. He continued his musical interests by playing in the Gladiator Drum and Bugle Corps and later played in the Pumpkin Show Band. He continued his passion for sports by playing softball and later coaching little league and following the athletic careers of his sons, grandsons, and granddaughter. In 1997 he was elected in to the first class of the Circleville High Athletic Hall of Fame. In 1987 he retired from DuPont after numerous years of dedicated service. Friends may call on Thursday, October 27, 2011 from 4:00PM-8:00PM at the DEFENBAUGH-WISE-SCHOEDINGER FUNERAL HOME 151 E. Main St. Circleville. Private graveside service and inurnment will follow at a later date at Forest Cemetery, Circleville, Ohio. Visit www.schoedinger.com to share a favorite memory of Don.