Donald E. Weyel, Sr.

Donald Eugene Weyel, Sr., 96, of Conneaut Lake, passed away Wednesday, November 21, 2018.

He was born in Homestead, PA on December 27, 1921 to Marietta and William Weyel. He later moved with his family to Squirrel Hill, where he graduated from Taylor-Alderdice High School. He married Marjorie Irvin in Uniontown, PA on August 13, 1950.

During World War II, Don served in the US Army Infantry, HQ 115, Anti-tank, 1st Btl Hqt Co, 415 Reg, 104th "Timberwolves" Division.  The division focused on nighttime combat operations, fighting in the battles for Northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe.  Don was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in May 1945.  When the war ended in Europe, they returned to the US and trained to invade Japan.  He received his honorable discharge from the Army after the war ended in the Pacific, and enrolled in the Univ. of Pittsburgh, where he graduated with a BS and MA degree in 1949.  He was then employed by Conneaut Lake High School where he taught history, physical education, and health until his retirement in 1981.

Don coached basketball and volleyball for boys and girls, and baseball for boys.  Before state championships were held, his teams won county league championships in boy's basketball, baseball and volleyball, and girls' volleyball.  He is best known for being the first coach in Pennsylvania to have won a state basketball championship with both a boys' (1965) and girls' (1981) varsity team.  He also won 4 District 10 titles and 1 Western PA title in boys basketball, and 1 Western PA title in girls basketball.  From 1985 through 1991 he coached girls basketball in Cochranton, then returned to boys' basketball in Conneaut Lake from 2004-05.  He received the Sportsman Hall of Fame award during the Meadville Area Sports Banquet in 2008.

He owned and operated the Pony Track at Conneaut Lake Park from 1952 through 2016, and was past president of PTA, CLABA, and the Ohio District of the National Timberwolves Assoc.  He was a member of the American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Conneaut Lake Historical Society, Conneaut Lake Alumnae Assoc., and several golf leagues.

He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Marjorie, his son, Don Jr. , and daughters Peggy (Skip) Leonhard, Sue Weyel, Diane (Craig) Reynolds all of Conneaut Lake, and Beth Moss (David Zebrovious) of Fredonia, PA, and Laurie (Jim) Rynd of Cochranton, PA. Grandchildren - Jamie (Steve) Carroll, Ben (Melissa) Grossman, Brian (Alyssa) Leonhard, Kristin Rynd (Jeff Hubert), Andy Rynd, Tyler (Brittani) Reynolds, Brad (Brooke) Reynolds, and Mallory Reynolds (fiance Matthew Richards), Jerred Moss, Alexa Moss (fiance Ryan Kuhn). Great grandchildren - Walker and Noah Carroll, Raegan Reynolds, Sydney Leonhard, Emma Reynolds, and Ella Grossman, as well as many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Norman and Bill, and sisters Wilda Guy, Jeanette Weyel, and Lois Dumas.

Calling hours will be Sunday, November 25th from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at WAID-COLEMAN FUNERAL HOME, 12422 CONNEAUT LAKE RD., CONNEAUT LAKE.

A private funeral service will by Monday at the Presbyterian Church of Conneaut Lake with the Rev. Sam Heagy, Pastor, officiating.

Interment will be in Evergreen Cemetery with military honors provided by VFW Post 2006.

Memorials may be sent to the Shontz Memorial Library, P.O. Box 5117, the Presbyterian Church of Conneaut Lake, P.O. Box 150, both of Conneaut Lake, PA 16316 or to a charity of the donor's choice.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.waidcolemanfh.com.