Obituary for Donald J. Morris
Donald J. Morris
Donald J. Morris, life-long servant to his Lord & Savior and beloved family patriarch, peacefully passed at home on May 6, 2019 with Yvonne Marie, his loving wife of 66 years, by his side.
Don was born June 19, 1934 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Byron T. and Florence Morris. Don and Yvonne were married in Adrian, Mich., on Aug. 29, 1952. Their daughter, Elaine Marie, was born in 1954 during his student years while the couple lived in the old Wooster College Units for Married Students. In 1956, their son Rick (Guy Richard) was welcomed to the family while Don worked at Rubbermaid, Inc., to support the family and continued his education. Don's 40-year-relationship with Rubbermaid culminated in his retirement as Production Control Manager.
For many years, Don and Yvonne enjoyed ministering with music and puppets in nursing homes and various campgrounds and churches in Ohio and Florida where they resided during the winter months. Don's heartfelt singing never failed to touch his audiences with his true and devoted love for His Lord and Savior. He was often a featured soloist at many area churches. His recorded performances will be treasured by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Don excelled in sports at the College of Wooster and previously at Elyria High School where he and his brother Bryon participated in many sports together. Don was inducted into the Elyria Hall of Fame in 1984. The name Morris was well-known to Elyria sports fans in the early 1950s. Donald and his brother Byron are both members of the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame because of their accomplishments on many fields of battle. Donald Morris played football, basketball and baseball and went on to the College of Wooster to continue his athletic prowess. Don played three sports at Elyria High but it may have been on the football field where he was best known. In 1952, as captain of the football team, Morris led Elyria to the Lake Erie League Championship - the last one Elyria would win before leaving the LEL for the Buckeye Conference. He was the center on that team and was named All-LEL as well as being named among the top players on the wire service All-Ohio squads. He was the starting center in the prestigious North-South All-Star game. He also played four years on the Pioneers basketball and baseball teams as well as the Post 12 baseball team where he was the catcher and battery mate for his pitching brother Byron. At Wooster, Don played both baseball and football for the Scots for four years. He was moved to tackle from his center position and continued to catch for his brother Byron on the baseball team. He and his brother were battery mates for three years at Elyria High and three more at Wooster.
Don not only excelled in sports, he exhibited exceptional card and marble proficiency. These skills learned at an early age gave him enjoyment throughout his life. Don and Yvonne enjoyed playing Bridge with a group of dear friends beginning at Wooster College and continuing today. They also passed on their love of games to their children and grandchildren who will forever remember playing games at the kitchen and dining room tables. Don always enjoyed competition but always in a friendly, good sportsman way. He was one of those rare individuals who had a warm heart and smile for everyone and could always be counted upon to brighten the day and the visit. He will be missed immeasurably.
In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his daughter Elaine & Dale Mosier (Kaitie, Tim & Grayson Dahlberg; Kristen Mosier & fiance Matt Hudak; Kelcie Mosier; Jenny, Ryan, Claire and Lyla Marthey); his son Rick & Tami Morris (Taylor and Deidrehannah Morris; Jessica, Ryan, & Addie Hughes).
Don is also survived by his sister Beverly (Tom & Jeannie Shaffer, Jeff & Neeley Shaffer, Sandy Alexander) and his brother Byron's children (Patti & Doug Stout, Susie & Kevin Patton, John & Susan Morris) and numerous great nieces and nephews. He leaves numerous in-laws to cherish his memory: Bob & Barb Hardy; Mary Lou Buyer (Sandy & Don Chase, Nancy Lescher, Dave & Linda Buyer, Jim & Michelle Buyer). Don was predeceased by his parents Byron & Florence Morris, brother Byron E. Morris, and in-laws Paul & Evelyn Hardy.
A private interment will take place at the convenience of the family at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Wooster.
A Celebration Visitation to honor Don's life will take place Sat., May 11, from 2:30 to 4:30 at Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to either: Connection Church - Assembly of God, 1633 Portage Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 which made immense contributions to Don and his family.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com.
Donald J. Morris, life-long servant to his Lord & Savior and beloved family patriarch, peacefully passed at home on May 6, 2019 with Yvonne Marie, his loving wife of 66 years, by his side.
Don was born June 19, 1934 in Elyria, Ohio to the late Byron T. and Florence Morris. Don and Yvonne were married in Adrian, Mich., on Aug. 29, 1952. Their daughter, Elaine Marie, was born in 1954 during his student years while the couple lived in the old Wooster College Units for Married Students. In 1956, their son Rick (Guy Richard) was welcomed to the family while Don worked at Rubbermaid, Inc., to support the family and continued his education. Don's 40-year-relationship with Rubbermaid culminated in his retirement as Production Control Manager.
For many years, Don and Yvonne enjoyed ministering with music and puppets in nursing homes and various campgrounds and churches in Ohio and Florida where they resided during the winter months. Don's heartfelt singing never failed to touch his audiences with his true and devoted love for His Lord and Savior. He was often a featured soloist at many area churches. His recorded performances will be treasured by his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.
Don excelled in sports at the College of Wooster and previously at Elyria High School where he and his brother Bryon participated in many sports together. Don was inducted into the Elyria Hall of Fame in 1984. The name Morris was well-known to Elyria sports fans in the early 1950s. Donald and his brother Byron are both members of the Elyria Sports Hall of Fame because of their accomplishments on many fields of battle. Donald Morris played football, basketball and baseball and went on to the College of Wooster to continue his athletic prowess. Don played three sports at Elyria High but it may have been on the football field where he was best known. In 1952, as captain of the football team, Morris led Elyria to the Lake Erie League Championship - the last one Elyria would win before leaving the LEL for the Buckeye Conference. He was the center on that team and was named All-LEL as well as being named among the top players on the wire service All-Ohio squads. He was the starting center in the prestigious North-South All-Star game. He also played four years on the Pioneers basketball and baseball teams as well as the Post 12 baseball team where he was the catcher and battery mate for his pitching brother Byron. At Wooster, Don played both baseball and football for the Scots for four years. He was moved to tackle from his center position and continued to catch for his brother Byron on the baseball team. He and his brother were battery mates for three years at Elyria High and three more at Wooster.
Don not only excelled in sports, he exhibited exceptional card and marble proficiency. These skills learned at an early age gave him enjoyment throughout his life. Don and Yvonne enjoyed playing Bridge with a group of dear friends beginning at Wooster College and continuing today. They also passed on their love of games to their children and grandchildren who will forever remember playing games at the kitchen and dining room tables. Don always enjoyed competition but always in a friendly, good sportsman way. He was one of those rare individuals who had a warm heart and smile for everyone and could always be counted upon to brighten the day and the visit. He will be missed immeasurably.
In addition to his wife, Don is survived by his daughter Elaine & Dale Mosier (Kaitie, Tim & Grayson Dahlberg; Kristen Mosier & fiance Matt Hudak; Kelcie Mosier; Jenny, Ryan, Claire and Lyla Marthey); his son Rick & Tami Morris (Taylor and Deidrehannah Morris; Jessica, Ryan, & Addie Hughes).
Don is also survived by his sister Beverly (Tom & Jeannie Shaffer, Jeff & Neeley Shaffer, Sandy Alexander) and his brother Byron's children (Patti & Doug Stout, Susie & Kevin Patton, John & Susan Morris) and numerous great nieces and nephews. He leaves numerous in-laws to cherish his memory: Bob & Barb Hardy; Mary Lou Buyer (Sandy & Don Chase, Nancy Lescher, Dave & Linda Buyer, Jim & Michelle Buyer). Don was predeceased by his parents Byron & Florence Morris, brother Byron E. Morris, and in-laws Paul & Evelyn Hardy.
A private interment will take place at the convenience of the family at Sherwood Memorial Gardens in Wooster.
A Celebration Visitation to honor Don's life will take place Sat., May 11, from 2:30 to 4:30 at Custer-Glenn Funeral Home in Wooster. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial donations to either: Connection Church - Assembly of God, 1633 Portage Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 or LifeCare Hospice, 1900 Akron Rd., Wooster, Ohio 44691 which made immense contributions to Don and his family.
Words of comfort may be shared with the family at: www.custerglenn.com.