Obituary for Donald A. Sr. Engelhardt

Donald A. Engelhardt, Sr.

age 89, passed away peacefully, on Oct. 24, 2014, surrounded by his family. He was born Aug. 7, 1925, in Massillon, son of the late Paul and Sarah (Marsh) Engelhardt. He graduated from Washington High School in 1943 where he played in the Tiger Swing Band under the direction of George Bird. He enlisted in the Army Air Corps in 1943 where he achieved the rank of Sergeant and served as a medical corpsman in the CBI Theater of Operation during World War II. Don retired in 1982 from Eaton Manufacturing Company where he worked as a process engineer for 38 years. He then served 10 years as commissioner and manager of the Soldiers and Sailors Relief Services of Stark County. He was a member of St. Mary Parish in Massillon, K of C Council #554, 3rd Degree, secretary of the Ulster Project for six years and Past President of Massillon Clergy Ecumenical Council. He was a life member of American Legion Massillon Post 221 where he served as Chaplain, Adjutant and two terms as Post Commander. He also served as Stark County Commander and 10th District Commander. In addition, he served as committee chairman of Buckeye Boys State, Massillon area, for many years. He played a bugle in Post 221''s Drum and Bugle Corps and tuba in the Clinton Band, Massillon Community Band and Lehigh Community Band of Lehigh Acres, Fla. He was drill instructor of the MacGregor Pipe Band of Massillon for 35 years. Don loved golfing and wood carving and organized the placing of flags on veterans'' graves at Rose Hill Cemetery for Memorial Day. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Norma Jean (Cheattle) Engelhardt; sons and daughters-in-law, Donald A. and Marguerite Engelhardt, Jr., Rob and Diana Engelhardt, Paul and Liz Engelhardt; daughters and sons-in-law Mary Lou and Dean McCoy, Becky and Charlie Craig, Lisa and Jim Allman; daughter, Lauri Gill; 14 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; five nieces and one nephew. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by grandson, Patrick Allman; brother, Vernon Engelhardt and sisters, Elizabeth Gaither and Edith Heimbaugh. Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 29, 2014 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heitger Funeral Home – Jackson Chapel, 5850 Wales Ave. N.W., Massillon 44646. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Thursday, Oct. 30, 2014 at St. Mary Catholic Church in Massillon at 10 a.m. with Rev. Edward Gretchko celebrant. Interment will follow at Rose Hill Memorial Gardens with military honors provided by American Legion Post 221. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to American Legion Post 221 Scholarship Fund, 427 Lincoln Way East, Massillon, Ohio 44646.