Donald R. Stevic
Donald R. Stevic, age 80, of 49 Buckeye Drive, Shelby, died Sunday, February 15, 2004 at Crestwood Care Center in Shelby after a long illness.
Don was born December 6, 1923 in Akron, Ohio, the son of the late Royce and Olive (Good) Stevic. He graduated from Akron Central High School in 1941. After graduation, he started his working career at the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company and retired from there in 1983. At that time he became plant manager for Ashland Chemical Company in Ashland, OH.
He served in the United States Army Air Force from May 1942 to November 1945. He was a tail-gunner on a B-24, serving in Panama and the Pacific. He received 1 air medal, 7 bronze stars, Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Ribbon and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon. He was honorably discharged as a Tech Sergeant.
He was a former councilman and the mayor of Mogadore, OH from 1963-1967. His other civic activities included Chairperson and a member of the Board of Directors of the Junior Achievement Program in Ashland. He, along with his wife Betty, was a Co-tour director of AARP in Ashland for 10 years and also served as their assistant Treasurer. In 1992, he was awarded a special citation for outstanding service to the community by the Ashland AARP.
He was a member of various clubs and lodges including, Ashland Lodge #151 F&AM, Ashland County Shrine Club, Shelby Shrine Club, Al Koran Temple Shrine, Cleveland, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of Canton, Yusef-Kahn Grotto, Akron. He was a 50-year member of the Masonic Lodge. He was a member of Trinity United Methodist Church in Shelby and Ashland American Legion Post 88.
A loving husband, father and grandfather, Don is survived by his wife of 59 years, Betty (Arnold) Stevic, whom he married on November 11, 1944; a son, Donald Stevic of Medina; 2 daughters and a son-in-law, Deb Stevic and Beth and Ron Kuhlman all of Shelby. Grandchildren, Lucas and Matthew Kuhlman of Shelby and Bill Buchanan and his fiancee, Becky of Ashland. Great-grandsons, William and Thomas Buchanan of Ashland.
He was preceded in death by his parents, a brother, Robert Stevic of Akron, and 2 sisters, Ruth Peterson of Yuba City, CA., and Mildred Marshall of Doylestown, OH.
The family will receive friends Wednesday, February 18, 2004 from 2-4 and 6-9 PM at the Turner Funeral Home, 168 West Main Street, Shelby where Masonic services will be held at 8:30 PM. Funeral services will be on Thursday at 10:30 AM at the funeral home with Rev. David Carter officiating. Burial will be in Oakland Cemetery in Shelby with military honors conducted by the Richland County Joint Veterans Burial Detail. Memorial expressions may be made to the American Cancer Society or American Diabetes Association.