1938
Donald
2014
Donald T. Hobbs
August 2, 1938 — January 8, 2014
Canfield - Donald T. Hobbs, 75, died Wednesday evening, January 8, 2014 at Northside Medical Center.
Don was born August 2, 1938 in Grindstone, PA, a son of the late Alfred and Edith Kiefer Hobbs.
Don moved to the Youngstown area as a child and was a 1956 graduate of The Rayen School. He attended Youngstown State University until joining the United States Air Force in March of 1962.
He served four years of active duty during the Vietnam War and then served in the United States Air Force Reserves. In 1991, he was activated to duty and served during Desert Storm. A proud veteran, Don retired from the U.S Air Force in 1993 after serving 30 years and also retired from the U.S. Civil Service Vienna Air Reserve Base after 30 years.
Don also worked for U.S. Steel while in college and later for Ohio Bell. After retirement, he enjoyed many years as a tour director for 21st Century Tours, taking school children on trips around the U.S. and Canada.
In his spare time, Don enjoyed bowling, belonging to many different leagues throughout the years. He previously served as President of the Transportation Bowling League Tournament. He also enjoyed golf and belonged to the Aut Mori Grotto League and the Argus Golf League.
Don was a 32 degree Mason, serving as Master of Western Star Lodge No. 21 and was a member of the Argus Lodge No. 545. He was a member of the Aut Mori Grotto, serving as Monarch in 1986. He belonged to the Grotto Patrol Team, the Veteran's Unit, the Past Monarch's Unit, and enjoyed many years working with the Aut Mori Grotto Circus. Don received the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel for his work with the Grotto throughout the years. Don also was a member of the Youngstown Shrine Club.
Don was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Austintown Eagles, and held a life membership with the Salem Amvets Post 45.
He leaves his wife, the former Shirley Bishop, whom he married October 10, 1981; two daughters, Lisa (Carmand) Wright of Austintown and Amy (Nick) Santoro of Canfield; two sons, Jason Kotarski of Canfield and Adam (Lori) Kotarski of Las Vegas. He had nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Amanda Wojciak, Frank, Nicole, Alyssa, and Tara Santoro, Aydan and Luke Kotarski, Ellie and Olive Kotarski, Julian Wojciak-Yemma, and Gianna Santoro.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a son, Donald Hobbs, II; and his father and mother-in-law, Charles and Betty Bishop.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the new Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Family and friends will be received Sunday from 4-7 p.m. and Monday from 10-10:45 a.m at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
Don was born August 2, 1938 in Grindstone, PA, a son of the late Alfred and Edith Kiefer Hobbs.
Don moved to the Youngstown area as a child and was a 1956 graduate of The Rayen School. He attended Youngstown State University until joining the United States Air Force in March of 1962.
He served four years of active duty during the Vietnam War and then served in the United States Air Force Reserves. In 1991, he was activated to duty and served during Desert Storm. A proud veteran, Don retired from the U.S Air Force in 1993 after serving 30 years and also retired from the U.S. Civil Service Vienna Air Reserve Base after 30 years.
Don also worked for U.S. Steel while in college and later for Ohio Bell. After retirement, he enjoyed many years as a tour director for 21st Century Tours, taking school children on trips around the U.S. and Canada.
In his spare time, Don enjoyed bowling, belonging to many different leagues throughout the years. He previously served as President of the Transportation Bowling League Tournament. He also enjoyed golf and belonged to the Aut Mori Grotto League and the Argus Golf League.
Don was a 32 degree Mason, serving as Master of Western Star Lodge No. 21 and was a member of the Argus Lodge No. 545. He was a member of the Aut Mori Grotto, serving as Monarch in 1986. He belonged to the Grotto Patrol Team, the Veteran's Unit, the Past Monarch's Unit, and enjoyed many years working with the Aut Mori Grotto Circus. Don received the honor of being named a Kentucky Colonel for his work with the Grotto throughout the years. Don also was a member of the Youngstown Shrine Club.
Don was also a member of the National Association of Retired Federal Employees, the Austintown Eagles, and held a life membership with the Salem Amvets Post 45.
He leaves his wife, the former Shirley Bishop, whom he married October 10, 1981; two daughters, Lisa (Carmand) Wright of Austintown and Amy (Nick) Santoro of Canfield; two sons, Jason Kotarski of Canfield and Adam (Lori) Kotarski of Las Vegas. He had nine grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, who were the light of his life, Amanda Wojciak, Frank, Nicole, Alyssa, and Tara Santoro, Aydan and Luke Kotarski, Ellie and Olive Kotarski, Julian Wojciak-Yemma, and Gianna Santoro.
In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by a son, Donald Hobbs, II; and his father and mother-in-law, Charles and Betty Bishop.
A funeral service will be held Monday at 11 a.m. at the new Davis-Becker Funeral Home, 8536 Market Street. Interment will follow at Forest Lawn Memorial Park.
Family and friends will be received Sunday from 4-7 p.m. and Monday from 10-10:45 a.m at the funeral home. A Masonic service will be held Sunday at 7 p.m. at the funeral home.
Please visit www.beckerobits.com to send condolences.
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