Donald H. Dickinson, 87, Wonderful Husband, Father, Grandfather & Great-Grandfather

He was born in Amherst on August 22, 1924 and was a lifelong resident of Lorain until he moved to Wesleyan Village in 2009.

Don was a graduate of Lorain High School class 1943A and attended Heidelberg College until being drafted for World War II. Joining the Navy in 1943 – 1945, he served in North Africa, Algeria and Naples, Italy with the Naval Intelligence Unit as a photographer.

Don "Watosh" worked at Cleveland Electric Illuminating Company in Avon Lake for forty years retiring in 1986.
He was a lifelong active member of Faith United Methodist Church in Lorain for more than sixty years where he served as Head Usher. He also was involved on many committees. He was head cook for the church's spaghetti dinners and helped with many swiss steak dinners. He was a member of the church's Sunday School Class and Men's Group.

He was active with the Boy Scouts and went on two mission trips to Nevis and Montserrat.

Don was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 451, Lorain. He prided himself on the thirty years he was a football and basketball referee. He coached Little League Elks team and won the championship.

He enjoyed many years of bowling and was a member of the Lorain Family YMCA.
He enjoyed playing cards, watching sports and western movies on his big TV. He was an avid fan of the Cleveland Indians, Browns and Cavaliers and also Ohio State.

Don was a wonderful husband, father, grandpa, and great-grandpa and enjoyed spending time with his family.

The centerpiece of Don's life was his strong Christian marriage and shared faith with his wife Shirley, whom he married 67 years ago in Faith Church.

Don is survived by his wife Shirley (nee Young), a son Jeff (Mary) Dickson, of Beverly Hills, Mich., daughter Beth (Ken) Repeta, of Canton, grandchildren Stacy Szuhy, Jay (Heather) Dickson, Molly Dickson, and great-grandchildren Maleia and Jorie Dickson, nephews Tom, Don and Jack Cook, Dan, Tim, and David Young, and niece Polly Cook and their families.

He was preceded in death by his mother Elizabeth Rivers Dickson, a son David Paul Dickson and parents-in-law Alfred and Grace Young, sisters and brothers-in-law Corinne and Paul Cook, and Jean and George Young.

Friends may call Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m. at Reichlin-Cooley Funeral Home, 2920 Broadway Lorain, and Monday from 10 a.m. till time of funeral service at 11 a.m. in Wesleyan Village Chapel, 807 West Ave., Elyria.

Rev. Karen Hollingworth will officiate. Burial will be in Ridge Hill Memorial Park with the VFW Post 451 and American Legion Post 30 conducting joint military burial rites.

Memorial contributions can be made to Faith United Methodist Church 2201 Reid Ave. Lorain OH 44052.