Don Mansfield

Don Mansfield also known as Sonny Dad and Grandpa was born September 4 1916 in Wadsworth Ohio to Sam and Iva Rasor Mansfield. A lifelong Wadsworth resident Don attended Wadsworth High School and received his GED. He later attended Kent State University. Don entered the U.S. Army in July 1943 and became a vehicle maintenance instructor at Ft. Sill Oklahoma. He later joined the 53rd Field Artillery Battalion 6th Division as Master Sergeant in vehicle maintenance where he participated in the drive from Lingayen Gulf to Manila. After the war ended in August 1945 Don spent several months serving with occupational troops in Korea finally returning home in January 1946. Don held a variety of jobs throughout his life - he worked at the Ohio Injector Co. was an automobile salesman and dealer and spent many years working for AVIS leasing trucks. He also served as Wadsworth Safety Director under Mayor Don Merriman and worked for the Ohio Department of Highways. Don ended his career by sharing his automotive expertise with students at Hudson High School. An avid hunter and fisherman Don spent many days throughout his retirement keeping the fields of local farmers groundhog-free. Though in his later days 'groundhog hunting' often meant napping in the sun he did at one point manage to bag almost 400 groundhogs in one season. Don was preceded in death by his wife Doris Fetzer Mansfield and is mourned by his companion of 30 years and 'guardian angel ' Helen Leatherman; his son Bruce and daughter-in-law Meribah; his niece Jane Mansfield Lam; and his grandchildren Benjamin Elizabeth and Matthew Mansfield. Don is also mourned by his extended family - the people who knew him either through marriage or acquaintance - to whom he was a father grandfather and friend. He will be remembered for his sharp wit his 'colorful' stories and his immense heart. A private Celebration of Life will be held for family and friends at a later date. Memorial gifts may be directed to: The Salvation Army Hospice of Wadsworth-Rittman and the Chippewa Rifle Club Inc.