Donald C. Harrison

Donald C. Harrison, age 91, of Swanton, Ohio, passed away in his home, Saturday morning, July 28, 2018.  He was born June 18, 1927 in St Paul, Minnesota to Mary (Heitkamp) and George Harrison. He was the oldest of his siblings, Russell, Joyce, Jim and Joan. After being born and spending a short time in Menomonie, Wisconsin, George and Mary moved the family to northwest Ohio where they remained and all the children began to build their own families. Don first married Annabelle Borck in November of 1947 and they had Bonnie and Donald. In his second marriage Don married Lula Mae Elkins in August of 1953 and the two of them had Nancy, James and Patricia.

Don started his early years working on the farm with his father and at a young age learned the true meaning of hard work. He carried this work ethic on throughout his life driving truck and hauling whatever could be hauled for 60+ years, building numerous houses for family and friends, making countless wooden toys and keepsakes that he especially loved to give as gifts, collecting and restoring antique tractors that he’d show at the Fulton County Fair or ride in parades, and working in his garden that always had the best of everything. If he wasn’t outside working on something, he was inside watching westerns during the week, NASCAR on Sundays or putting together a puzzle that would challenge some of the smartest people. Don was also a life-member of Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Swanton and Whitehouse American Legion Post #384. 

Don was a simple man, but a true gentleman. He was a cowboy at heart and rarely would you see him without his signature cowboy hat or cowboy boots. He truly made the most of life and loved nothing more than his family and his animals. When asked what he wanted to be remembered for, his response was, “That he was a pain in the a**”. Little did he know he will be remembered for much more. His name means the world to many and because of him it will always be special.

Left to cherish his memory is his beloved wife of 65 years, Lula Mae; daughters, Bonnie Warren, Nancy (Sam) Gordon, and Patty (John) Stall; and daughters-in-law JoAnne and Ruth Harrison; 15 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; and his sibling Joan Schott

Don was preceded in death by his parents, George and Mary; sons, Jimmy and Donald "Mike" Harrison; son-in-law, Bill Warren;and siblings Russell Harrison, Joyce Flathers and Jim Harrison

Visitation will be held Thursday, August 2nd from 3 to 8 p.m. at the Weigel Funeral Home, 204 Chestnut St. in Swanton (419.826.2631).  Visitation will continue Friday, August 3rd from 10 to 11 a.m. at Faith Evangelical Lutheran Church in Swanton, where funeral services will begin at 11:00 a.m., with Rev. Todd Milner officiating.  Interment will follow at Swanton Cemetery. 

Memorial contributions may be made to Faith Lutheran Church Building Fund, 200 Dodge St., Swanton, OH 43558.