Donald C. Bobel, 96, War World II Veteran

He was born in Lorain on January 8, 1915.

Don graduated from Lorain High School and went on to serve in the United States Army during World War II where he fulfilled duty assignments as a Corporal with the 422nd Infantry, 106th Division in Europe. A former prisoner-of-war in Germany, he was the recipient of the European-African Middle Eastern Service Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, the Purple Heart, the American Defense Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.

Mr. Bobel retired from the maintenance department of Centel (formerly the Lorain Telephone Company) in 1981 following eleven years of service; he had previously been employed for nearly a quarter of a century at the Fruehauf Trailer Company in Avon Lake.

Don was a life member Amherst VFW Post # 1662, as well as a former member of Italian American Veterans Post # 1 in Lorain. He was also a member of the Centel Retirees Club, the Lorain Eagles, and Lorain Moose Lodge # 552.

In his free time, Don enjoyed dancing.

He is survived by his caregiver Marlene Simashkevich of Amherst, along with numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his wife Charlotte (nee Heston) in 1990, by his companion of 15 years Leonarda Smith in 2008, by his parents William and Anna (nee Hannon) Bobel, and by sisters Gertrude Spaccapelo and Alsace Grauw.

Visitation will be Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of funeral services at 10:00 a.m. in the Gluvna-Shimo-Hromada Funeral Chapel, 3224 Broadway Avenue, Lorain. Reverend Daniel O. Divis, Pastor of Mary Mother of God Catholic Church will officiate. Interment will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township where military honors will be conducted by the Amherst Veterans Military Honor Guard.

Donations in Don’s memory are encouraged to New Life Hospice.

To share your on-line condolences with the family please visit www.gluvna.net.