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Note: Nickname: Don Cause of Death: Stroke,(Auto accident in Jan 1996) Don and Sheila dated for seven years before they married. The differences in their religions was frowned on in those days. So finally in 1939 they eloped with their best friends, Ralph and Esther Ott witnessing their marriage. They came home to Elyria and kept their marriage a secret for some time. Finally, not being able to stay apart, they told their secret. After a few years of marriage, Sheila decided she wanted to convert to Catholicism. This pleased Don's family but Sheila's family was not sure of her commitment. It was the right decision for Sheila as she was very devoted to the religion she had chosen to practice. When World War II broke out and many of the local men were enlisting, Don went for his physical but was refused entry for health reasons. He and Sheila spent the war years in Steamboat Springs Colorado with some friends and family members. Those years in Colorado remained in their memories as the happiest of times together. At the close of the war they returned to Elyria due to lack of work in Steamboat Springs. Don found work as an engineer for a construction company. He was on a crew who helped to build the Ohio turnpike. About 1959 Don quit construction work and found a job at Bendix Westinghouse where he remained a short time, finally being hired at Lear Romec in Elyria. His job was a final inspector and he was proud that he was a part of the early space program which was one of the many projects his job was involved in. He retired from Lear Romec in 1979. He enjoyed amatuer radio, and built and operated his own radio, talking to many people from around the country and some from around the world.
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