Donald L. "Chief" Walter

Donald L. âa�A"Chiefâa�A� Walter, 86 Columbiana -- Donald L. âa�A"Chiefâa�A� Walter, 86, of Columbiana, died suddenly early Friday morning in St. Elizabeth Medical Center, from an apparent brain aneurism. Mr. Walter was born March 15, 1920, a son of Leo G. and Margaret May Walter. Mr. Walter was a 1938 graduate of St. Vincent High School in Akron and received his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration from Akron University in 1949. He moved to Poland from Akron in 1957. He founded Don Walter Kitchen and Bath Distributor in 1973 and continued to work there until his death. He was a member of St. Vincent St. Mary Church in Akron. Mr. Walter was a Life Spike Member of the National Home Builders Association and a lifetime member of the board of directors of the Mahoning Valley Home Builders Association. Just this year, he received the Father Mahar Award for distinguished service to St. Vincent St. Mary High School. He also was recognized by Akron University numerous times for contributions to their athletic program. He served as a meteorologist in the Army Corps as a Master Sergeant from 1942 to1945. His wife, the former Dorothy L. Fichter, whom he married July 25, 1942 died November 7, 1986. He leaves one daughter, Deborah Walter of Boardman; two sons, Gary D. Walter of Beaver and Randy and wife, Heidi Walter of Canfield; three sisters, Betty J. Maligie of Long Beach, CA, Sr. Peter Claver SND of the Mother House in Chardon, OH, and Anne Morgan of Akron, OH; two brothers, Richard Walter of Twinsburg, OH, and Leo Walter, Jr. of Akron; six grandchildren, Scott Walter, Wendy Walter, Robin Grove, Doug Walter, Bryan Walter and Zachary Walter; and two great-grandchildren, Regan Walter and Timothy Walter; and his partner and friend Kaye Moore of Stow, OH. Besides his parents and his wife, Mr. Walter was preceded in death by his son, Timothy J. Walter, two sisters, Mildred Ricardi and Mary Rice, and two brothers, Edward Walter and Eugene Walter. There will be funeral services Tuesday at 10:15 a.m. at Cunningham Becker Funeral Home in Poland and 11:00 a.m. at St. Charles Church in Boardman. Friends may call Monday from 4 âa�" 8 p.m. at the funeral home in Poland. Memorial contributions may be given in Mr. Walterâa�a��s name to the Sisters of Notre Dame Motherhouse 13000 Auburn Road., Chardon, OH 44024 or the St. Vincent-St. Mary High School Scholarship Fund 15 North Maple Street Akron, Ohio 44303. Condolences may be sent at www.beckerobits.com .

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