Robert E. Donelson

There will be a funeral service 10 AM Saturday at Four Mile Run Christian Church for Robert E. Donelson who passed away Monday June 18, 2007 at the Cleveland Clinic. Robert was born February 14, 1936 in Richwood, WV a son of the late Clem R. and Esther (Gibson) Donelson Dawson, and came to Youngstown after serving in the U.S. Marine Corps during the Korean War. He had worked in the parts department at Johnson Control retiring in 1998 after 20 years, and was a member of the Four Mile Run Christian Church. He was an active member of Austintown American Legion Post 301, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4237, and the Mahoning Valley Chapter of the Korean War Veterans. He worked tirelessly in the community on many veterans programs and issues which was his passion after retiring from the U.S. Air Force Reserves as a Master Sergeant after 36 years receiving an Air Force Commendation Medal. It’s hard to look around Austintown without seeing Bob Donelson’s hand and hard work in the many projects. He felt is was his mission in life to make sure every veteran’s grave in Austintown had a flag every Memorial Day. He was also an avid golfer, golfing in the senior citizens league at Mill Creek Park, he enjoyed helping at bingo at the Regency House, and loved helping others with his knowledge and skills in building and home improvements. He leaves behind his wife Hazel of 39 years; sons: Kenneth Donelson of Lexington, KY, Stephen Donelson and his wife Kristy of St. Albans, WV, David and his wife Jackie of East Allen Township, PA, Eric and his wife Elaina Donelson of Coitsville, OH; daughter Amy and her husband Jim Driscoll of Columbus, OH; nine grandchildren; one brother Frank Dawson of Richwood, WV; and three sisters: Geraldine Porter of Youngstown, Glendene of Waco, TX, and Carol Sparks of Richwood, WV. Beside his parents, Bob is preceded in death by a daughter Nancy Donelson, a brother Bert Donelson, and a sister Josephine Hacker. Family and friends may call from 5 – 8 PM Friday at the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel and from 9 – 10 AM Saturday at the church.