Donald E. Wells

Donald E. Wells, age 88, passed away April 19, 2015.

Don was born in Akron and lived in Ellet his entire life. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1944 and served aboard USS LST 1122 in the Asiatic-Pacific Theatre. After his discharge from the Navy in 1946, Don married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Wearley and they were married for 65 years. Don worked at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company for 20 years then joined his wife Frannie in managing Airport Florist. He also worked at Summit County Children’s Services for 10 years.

Don enjoyed bowling and loved the annual Muskie fishing trip to Ontario, Canada. He and Frannie enjoyed taking cruises in the Baltic Sea, Tahiti, Hawaii and the Caribbean. He also enjoyed landscaping and received many Keep Akron Beautiful Awards. Don and Frannie’s home was the secret garden on the Volunteer Center Garden Tour in 1998. Don was a member of Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church and spent many hours volunteering with the Lunch Bunch on landscaping projects. He also volunteered at Haven of Rest Ministries. Don and Frannie hosted many LST 1122 crew reunions.

Preceded in death by parents, Clarence (Pappy) and Margaret Wells; and brother, Kenny Wells; his wife Frannie in 2011; he is survived by daughters, Kathy Wells and Kay (Bob) Shaver; grandchildren, Justin (Susan) Shaver, Jodi (Pat) Gerber, and Josh (Jennifer) Shaver; great grandchildren, Charleston, Ashley, Anna, Abigail, Adam, Alexis, Amelia and Avery. The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Falls Village for the wonderful care Don received over the two years he had been residing there.

The family will receive friends 4-6 p.m. Thursday and 10-11 a.m. Friday at Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home, 547 Canton Road (Route 91), Akron, Ohio 44312, where funeral services will be held Friday at 11 a.m. with Dr. Reford Nash officiating. Burial will follow at Hillside Memorial Park where military rites will be conducted by Firestone VFW Post 3383. The family suggests memorials to the Haven of Rest Ministries, PO Box 547, Akron, Ohio 44309-0547.