Donald J. May

RANDOLPH - Donald “Donny” J. May, 91, was born on March 13, 1933 to Fred and Mayme (May) May and entered into eternal rest with his family walking him through his final journey on December 15, 2024, but not before his final crops were harvested.

Donny was a man who wore many hats, both literally and figuratively. He started each morning by choosing his hat for the day. The hats of distinction that he wore were husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather and brother. His many other hats included serving in the U.S. Army, bus driver, Assistant Fire Chief and pioneer EMT for Randolph Twp. He also served his community by serving on the Portage County Randolph Fair Board as Chief of Police, as well as grain superintendent. In his spare time, he loved to make wine, listen and dance to polkas and waltzes with his wife, watch his grandchildren play sports, and tell jokes. Donny was also a lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph Parish in Randolph.

He retired from Teledyne Monarch Rubber Co., Hartville, Ohio in 1991 with thirty-two years of service. We often joked with Dad about being retired from Monarch longer than he worked. During his “retired life” he enjoyed farming with his John Deere and his family for over fifty years. He began May’s Produce with a roadside stand and graduated on to farmers’ markets where he met many seasonal friends.

Donny was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Leon and Glen May, sisters Rita Kline Wise and Mary Jane Kline, and son-in-law Jerry Luli.

To honor his memory, Donny is survived by his loving wife of 67 years Dolores “Dolly” (Lenz) May, his children Don, Randy, Joyce Podojil (Greg Duszynski), Judy (Kurt) Knapp, and Mike (Carrie) May. He is also survived by his grandchildren Dr. Kyle Knapp, Blake, Brooke and Joe May, and his sister Shirley Rodenbucher.

The family would like to express their sincere appreciation to Doctors Peter Bittenbender and Kenneth Varian of Summa Health Medical Group, Cardiology and staff, Summa Hospice, the Randolph Rescue Squad, Father Jim Lang and Father Kevin Bertleff.

Friends will be received at the Wood-Kortright-Borkoski Funeral Home, 703 E. Main St., Ravenna, on Friday, December 20, 2024 from 4pm until 7pm. Mass of Christian Burial, celebrated by Rev. Kevin Bertleff and Rev. James Lang, will be held at 11am on Saturday, December 21, at St. Joseph Church, 2643 Waterloo Rd., Randolph OH. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph School, Randolph Fire Dept or RSA Food Shelf.

Condolences and memories can be shared at www.wood-kortright-borkoski.com