Also known as Don or Donnie, he is the cherished father to Sandi Best (David), Joe Wengstrom (Anne) and Chris Wengstrom (Lisa); devoted grandfather to James Hauserman (Tracy), Adam Best (Rebekah), Nicole Yarbrough (John), Samantha, Joey and Taylor; loving great grandpa to Morgan, Camryn and Baby Best who is due in May; former husband and dear friend to Carol Baran and devoted longtime partner to the late Dorothy Clark, known together as “Dorothy and the Tin Man.”
Born in Cleveland in 1943, to the late Raymond and Ruth (nee Bonhill) Wengstrom, he lived his entire life in the Cleveland area. He was a bit of a daredevil when he was younger and once during a BBQ tried walking "tightrope style" on a clothesline and ended up falling and breaking his arm! As a young father he was very involved with his kids, making sure they had a beautiful yard and a pool that started small and grew larger over the years. He also did things like building a skating rink in the backyard in the winter, teaching his family to snow and water-ski and coaching soccer. Don was an avid golfer, as was his entire family and father before him.
Don was a retired Sheet Metal Worker with Local 33. Shortly after he retired, while remodeling his kitchen, he lost two fingers on his right hand to a table saw. An easy-going, fun-loving guy who lived a modest life, he then nicknamed himself Eight-Finger Don, or Eight-Finger Grampa. His family and friends now affectionately just call him Eight-Finger. Upon his retirement he and Dorothy traveled extensively throughout the United States playing golf in all 50 states! He loved talking about his travels, especially out west and Hawaii.
Eight-Finger was especially proud of his grandchildren and always boasted about their accomplishments. He enjoyed coming to all their games and events. Later in life, he enjoyed stopping in at the Polish Tavern or Trolley House every afternoon for a beer, specifically Miller High Life.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to the American Lung Association at https://www.lung.org/
A Memorial Visitation for Don will be held Wednesday, February 5, 2025 from 4:00 PM to 6:45 PM with a funeral service beginning at 6:45 PM, at Corrigan Craciun Funeral Home, 20820 Lorain Rd, Fairview Park, Ohio 44126.
