Donald J. Markley, 77, Owned # 83 Super-Modified Racing Team
Donald J. “Shorty” Markley, age 77, of Lorain, died Saturday August 1st, 2009 at the New Life Hospice Center of St. Joseph following a two-year battle with lung cancer.
Shorty was born in Philippi, West Virginia on August 14, 1931 and had been a resident of Lorain since 1954; he had previously resided in Michigan.
Mr. Markley was a veteran of the United States Army where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Corporal stationed in Germany during the Korean Conflict.
He was formerly employed as a Relief Man at Ford Motor Company’s Lorain Assembly Plant; Shorty retired in 1994 following a career that spanned more than twenty years with the automaker. He was a member of United Autoworkers Local 425.
Mr. Markley was passionate about auto racing and competed as the owner of the #83 super-modified team which raced at Sandusky Speedway, Lorain County Speedway, and a multitude of other race venues throughout the states of New York, Michigan, and Indiana. A member of the International Super Modified Association, he was also a fan of NASCAR racing and enjoyed following the accomplishments of driver Dale Earnhardt, Sr.
Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years Betty L. (nee Simpson), daughters Donna A. Sherry (husband David) of Taylorsville, Kentucky, and Vickie L. Cuevas (husband George) of Lorain, grandson Donald “Jeff” Sherry of Lorain, granddaughter Erika Cantu of Norwalk, great granddaughters Gabrielle and Samantha Cantu, and sister Shirley Gaynor (husband Gerald “Bucky”) residing in Philippi, West Virginia. Shorty is also survived by his beloved Jack Russell terrier "D.J."
He was preceded in death by his parents Dorsey and Velva (nee Wilmoth) Markley, by brothers Clay and David Markley, and by sisters Betty Boyles and Virginia Lantz.
Visitation will be Tuesday August 4th from 4 to 8 p.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Funeral services will be Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. in the funeral chapel with the Reverend Robert Daugherty presiding. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park where military honors will be conducted by Louis Paul Proy Chapter # 20 of the Disabled American Veterans.
To leave on-line condolences for the family please visit www.gluvna.net.