Donald Cullen Gonder

Donald Cullen Gonder

Donald Cullen Gonder, 88, passed away on December 21, 2009. Born September 2, 1921 in Lorain, Ohio, his family moved to Akron where he graduated from South High School in 1939. He attended Akron University after serving in the 5th Army during WWII. He served 1942-1945 in North Africa, Italy, and Okinawa, as a Staff Sergeant in the Station Hospitals. After returning from war, he worked for B.F. Goodrich for 39 years as a guard and an industrial fireman until retirement. His passions were music and family. He was a talented musician who played trombone for bands in the Army and the Akron area; including the Veterans of Swing, the Elderberry Jammers at Stambaughs, the Drs. Orchestra, and the Stow Library Jazz Band. While in High School, he eagerly accepted an invitation to lead an all-girls jazz orchestra, the RythMaids, where he met Florence (Ulmer) Gonder, whom he married in 1943. With Florence, he raised two children, Mark and Jennifer. Four years after her death in 1982, he married Joan (Keagy) Hill, enjoying a wonderful 23 years together, sharing a love of music. He became an adopted father and grandfather to Joan's children and grandchildren. In recent years he had respiratory trouble. He had a strong spirit and played his trombone until the end. His health declined rapidly and he quietly gave up his spirit on Monday, December 21, 2009. He was preceded in death by his parents, Dr. Frank and Vera Gonder; by his first wife, Florence (Ulmer) Gonder; and by his brother, Frank Gonder, Jr. He is survived by his wife, Joan (Hill) Gonder; daughter, Jennifer Jesse and husband John Dungan; son, Mark Gonder and wife Susan; step-daughter, Jeanine (Hill) Harvey and husband Mike; stepson, Larry Hill and wife Melissa; step-grandchildren, John, Steven and Kevin Hill, and Jessica Harvey; sisters, Judi and Karen Gonder; as well as beloved cousin Alberta (Clark) Edgerly. A memorial service will be held Thursday, 11 a.m., at NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, 131 N. Canton Rd., with visitation one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Guthrie Center, 4 Van Deusenville Road, Great Barrington, MA 01230 or a charity of one's choice.

NEWCOMER FUNERAL HOME, 330-784-3334.