Donald Green

Donald "Don" Green, 79, passed away Thursday, March 10, 2011 at his home. Born August 20, 1931, in Ashland County, he was the son of Jessie Felty and Cecil Green. He graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1951 then was drafted into the U.S. Marine Corps being Honorably Discharged for medical reasons at Parris Island. Throughout his life, Don worked at Nehi Bottling, Mansfield Tire and Rubber Company, and with his father, he owned and operated Cecil Green and Son Construction and 5th Avenue Stone Quarry. He began his career with the Mansfield Fire Department on June 26, 1956 retiring on November 22, 1982, working in many varied positions with the Fire Prevention Bureau, Arson Investigations, Public Relations, initiated the Smokey the Bear Program and was recognized as Fireman of the Year in 1970. He owned the Lucas Country Store, Willow Valley Farm Pick-Your-Own Strawberries and after his retirement, he owned and operated Whittle Sticks-collectible wood items. Don was a past member of the Democratic Party, was a Mifflin Township Trustee responsible for the building of the bridges over S.R. 30 at Reed and Laver Roads and Past-President of the Richland County Visitors Bureau. Blessed with a caring and compassionate heart, he never met a stranger and made many friends with his involvement in area organizations including the Richland County Farm Bureau, Richland County Camera Club and the Intercity Amateur Radio Club where he had been elected President, was known by the call sign K8ANC, and had been awarded the "Ham of the Year" in 2005. Don enjoyed antiques and studying WWII history.

He is survived by his wife, Catherine Swank-Green whom he married on July 6, 2007 but was his best friend and companion of 40 years; daughter, Susan Michael Gilchest of Swansea, IL; father-in-law, Charles Evelyn Swank; sister-in-law, Pamela David Waleri of Aubrey, TX; brother-in-law, Stephen C. Kimberly Swank; special nieces, Claudia Bill Snyder of Ashland and Kim Gregory Engh of Mansfield; nephews, Robert Michelle Landis, Bill Green, Robert Green and several other nieces and nephews; and his beloved Bichon Frise, Bubba Dew. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, William Green; sisters, Glada Landis and Alma Guenther; first wife, Doris Schaaf Green; second wife, Marylou Peppard Green; and his mother-in-law, Imogene Swank.

The family would like to thank special friends, Norma Schultz, Barb Riddle, Denise Kievit and the staffs at Hospice of North Central Ohio and Kingston of Ashland for their help during this most difficult time.

Friends may visit with the family Tuesday, March 22, 2011 from 3-7 p.m. in the Diamond Street Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 98 S. Diamond St., Mansfield. A short prayer service will be held at 6:30 p.m. with a time for sharing fond memories of Don to follow. Memorial contributions may be made to the family, Mansfield Fire Department, Madison Township Fire Department or Hospice of North Central Ohio.