Cecil I. Davis

Cecil I. Davis, owner of Davis Diesel Repair, Inc. in Springfield Township, died September 28, 2018, following a life-long battle with diabetes. For several months he had been lovingly cared for by the wonderful staff of both Pinnacle Nursing Home and Grace Hospice.

Cecil was born November 30, 1939, in Lambert's Run, WV, to Harold "Barney" E. Davis and Marie Opal (Lyons) Davis, who preceded him in death; he was also preceded by his brothers, Ralph L. and Stephen E. Davis; sisters, Betty Coen and Maxine Waldeck; his sister-in-law Faye Davis and brothers-in law John Coen and Bobby Stroop. He is also preceded by two great-grandchildren, Braelynn and Ezra Sandala.

He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Marilyn (Saunders) Davis. He is also survived by his seven children, his 15 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren : Thomas G. Rose (Lisa) and their daughter Christen Davis; Tina Gilley and her daughter Dawn Johnson (Jesse) and their children Chelsie, Courtney, and Hailey; Tamma Payne and her children Jennifer Shoemaker (Aaron), and Rebecca Anderson (Trevor) and grandchildren Abby, Jake and Austen; Kimberly Davis-Wengerd (Daniel) and their children Kaitlin Davis-Brendel (Zach) and their children, Acacia, Aidan, and Jack; Kelsea Blanchard- Sandala (Joshua "Joko") and their son, Rivers; and Hannah Blanchard all of Dickinson, ND as well as Jeffrey Troy Blanchard of Marysville, OH ; Kristin Davis-Wasson-Peach (Justin) (IN) and her children, Christopher, Isaac and Emily Wasson and their father Michael Wasson of Tallmadge, OH; Aaron Scott Davis (OH) and his son Braden(SC); and Rebekah Davis-Slade (Kevin) and their children Michael, Meaghan, and Max of Fruitland, MD. He is also survived by his sister Irene Stroop, and his sisters –in- law Kay (Stephen) and Patty (Ralph) Davis. There are also a great number of nephews and nieces who will miss him.

Cecil proudly served in the US Navy from 1956 to 1962. He learned his trade as a diesel mechanic there and continued to repair diesel engines right up until he became ill in late 2017. He is well-known and loved by those he served in "his area" which included five states, as well as in the eateries he called his "offices." He worked hard and long to provide for his family. His children are proud to call him "Dad," and his grandchildren and greats adored him. He will be sadly missed.

We, his family wish to thank the Springfield Police and Fire Department EMTs who faithfully came to his aid when his blood sugar dropped unexpectedly. We are so very grateful for the many times you saved his life. He always made you laugh when he came around though, didn't he?

We have peace of heart in that we know that we will meet him again in Heaven as it is promised in Cecil's favorite Bible verse, John 3:16. "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."

He firmly requested that he be cremated, have no funeral or memorial services, and have his ashes spread upon the ocean. We are carrying out his wishes. We thank you for your prayers.

Donations of sympathy may be made in Cecil's name to the American Diabetes Association.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Newcomer Funeral Home-Akron.