John L. Donahue

John L. Donahue, age 90 of Poland, Ohio and formerly of Strasburg, died peacefully, Friday, November 11, 2016 in Ashville, NC, surrounded by his loving family. A son of late Lacey W. and Ida M. (Eichel) Donahue, John was born at Uhrichsville, Ohio on June 27, 1926. He was a graduate of the former Tuscarawas-Warwick High School. Following graduation, He began officer’s training school with the United States Navy and was later reassigned to the USS Hornet near the end of World War II. Following his honorable discharge, John went on to earn a degree in Manufacturing Engineering from Case University. John’s career spanned for more than 30 years as he began working for Robinson Clay and later moved on to E.W. Bliss Company. He later took a job with General Electric where he served the firm for many years at the Dover and later the Austintown, Ohio plants prior to his retirement in the late 1980’s. In his early years, John enjoyed golfing. There was very little that he could not fix or build himself. John was an accomplished woodworker and furniture maker; having made grandfather clocks for each of his children. He later took up wood carving, and through the years, hand-carved countless flocks of various birds. With his wife, Ramona, at his side, John enjoyed traveling through the United States and Canada in their RV. He was a kind, patient, loving, and devoted father and husband. He will be deeply missed by his children, Paula (Bill) Lewis of N. Myrtle, South Carolina, Nancy (Jim) Curry of Asheville, North Carolina, and Steve (Linda) Donahue of Poland, Ohio; 12 grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren; and his daughter-in-law, Diane Donahue of Strasburg. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ramona, whom he married on August 15, 1948 and shared in 66 years of marriage prior to her passing on January 9, 2015; their son, Michael Donahue; a granddaughter, Aimee Lynn Donahue; and a great-granddaughter, Hailey Grace Curry. The family will greet guests on Tuesday, November 15, 2016 from 10-11 AM in the Geib Funeral Center at Dover where Pastor Brian Flood will lead a service celebrating John’s life at 11 AM. Burial will follow in Grandview Union Cemetery at Strasburg. In gratitude for their hospice care, the family requests memorial contributions may be directed to CarePartners, 68 Sweeten Creek Road, Asheville, NC, 28803.