Donald Charles Wilkins

Donald Charles Wilkins, 73, died Saturday evening, March 19, 2016 at St. Elizabeth Health Center after a brief illness.

Donald was born on September 13, 1942, in Youngstown, a son of Donald F. and Mary Anderson Wilkins. He grew up as a handicapped boy with braces and crutches and learned the hardware business from his grandfather and dad at the Wilkins Leonard Hardware Company. He became the last President of the company and head of the Board of Directors, earning his nickname "Mr. Make It Right."

Raised in Youngstown, he graduated from South High School in 1960 and studied accounting and economics at Youngstown State University.

Don was a member of the Youngstown Appreciative Handicap Club and as a handicapped driver provided transportation to many of the members. He met Patricia Chura, a member of the club, and they were married in 1969, and had a happy marriage until her death in 2009. They had "2 kids," Blackie and Alex. On the road, Don could always be spotted in his Lincoln Town Car with his wife and "kids" frequenting many fast food restaurants and visiting many of their friends on a daily basis.

Don had a lifelong interest in economics, attending the yearly Blanchard Economic Conference in New Orleans. He was a close friend to the conference chairman, Jim Blanchard, who was also a paraplegic. During Don's visits to New Orleans, he was interviewed by college students at the University of New Orleans who were researching ways to improve handicap accessibility throughout the city. With Don's help, New Orleans became one of the best cities in the United States for handicap accessibility.

Don and Patty's home was a refuge for stray animals and a place where he took care of his mother and two aunts with Alzheimer's Disease. He was a great caregiver despite his disabilities.

Don also learned to fly a plane as a handicapped person. His favorite past time was cooking and shopping at the Van Pelt Farm Market. He loved entertaining friends at his home. On the weekends, he loved driving to Cook Forest with his family, enjoying the great outdoors, observing wildlife, and enjoying campfires and cookouts.

Don never gave up on life even up until his last hours and endured his lifelong disabilities with grace. He will always be indebted to his great neighbors, Bill and Carol Bigelo, for their help and enduring friendship, his nurse, Mary Jane Weber, who assisted his family, and Phil and Lisa Smith for providing spiritual support.

Don leaves behind three brothers, James A. Wilkins and Dr. Charles E. Wilkins of Youngstown and Richard D. Wilkins of Niles; two nephews, Richard D. Wilkins and his daughter, Elizabeth Marie Wilkins of Niles and Jack Wilkins of Canfield; many cousins and one special cousin, Garnet Schafer.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at the Oak Hill Cemetery, 344 Oak Hill Ave., Youngstown, where interment will follow after the service.

Donations in Don's name can be made to the Alzheimer's Network, 4214 Market St., Youngstown, Ohio 44512.

Arrangements are being handled by the Davis-Becker Funeral Home in Boardman. Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.