Donald Walker

Donald Walker, 84, of Ontario, died October 3, 2013 at Mansfield Memorial Homes, following a courageous battle with a mind robbing disease. He was born on August 30, 1929 in Bellville to Chester and Goldie Walker. Don played football, basketball, and baseball for Bellville, where he graduated from in 1947. He also played semi pro football with the Mansfield Rangers around 1950 and semi pro baseball with the Mansfield Merchants around the same time. On May 9, 1948, Don married the love of his life, Alice Gordon Walker, whom he had fallen for in the 7th grade. Together, they had four wonderful children. Don was an avid golfer. He loved the sport and played until his health failed. He also was an Ohio State, Cleveland Indians, and Cleveland Browns fan. He was employed with Westinghouse until he retired in 1990. Don and Alice loved watching their grandchildren and great grandchildren play sports. For seven years, Alice and Don vacationed in Florida until they decided to stay in Ontario and enjoy their family.

Don is survived by his wife of 65 years, Alice Gordon Walker; children, Bob (Mattie) Walker, Janie (Tad) Thornton, Vicki (Vaughn) Ford; grandchildren, Ryan (Tanika) Jacobs, Scott (Adria) Jacobs, Amanda (Mike) Zeger, Brad Walker, Matt Pursley, Jerica (Zack) Pursley Wheeler, Cyndi (Dan) Zeiter, Kim (Tom) Blanton, Tom (Ashley) Thornton, Tim (Kim) Thornton; great grandchildren, Jordan, Jayden, Justyce, Haleigh and Makayla Jacobs, Brienna Davis, Adriana Zeger, Yasming Featherstone, Aaron (Jessica) Blanton, Krystal and David Blanton, Zane, Derek, and Owen Zeiter, Michelle, Aerica, and Kaci Zeger, Alexis Wheeler, Paxon and Jagger Thornton; great great granddaughters, Anna and Emma Blanton; great great grandson, Beau Blanton; brothers, Wilbur Walker, Dwight Walker, Virgil Walker, Lloyd Walker; a sister-in-law, Phyllis (Fred) Zahn; a brother-in-law, David (Rita) Gordon; a special niece, Carolyn Zara; a host of nieces and nephews; and good friends, Steve and Loeta Geer, Ed and Madeline Sauer, Bob and Louise Stoffer, and Chet Bryant.

Don was preceded in death by a beautiful daughter, Pamela Kay; mother and father, Chester and Goldie Walker; brother, Homer; sister, Janice; an infant sister; sisters-in-law, Joan Walker, Kate Samples, Gladys Rhodebeck, Helen West, Esther Gordon and Ann Gordon; brothers-in-law, Bill, Carl, Ralph, Don and Paul Gordon, and Bob Samples; mother and father in law, Harry and Lena Gordon.

The family will receive friends from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, October 6, 2013 at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Road. The funeral service will be held Monday at 2:00 p.m. in the funeral home with his nephew, Pastor Jeff Gordon officiating. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Alzheimer's Association, Parkinson's Foundation or the American Cancer Society.