Donald W. Clayton

Donald W. Clayton, 80, of Glenwood Avenue, Meadville, passed away, Saturday, January 28, 2012 at the Meadville Medical Center after suffering a stroke.

Don was born May 29, 1931 in Erie a son of John and Ada Smith Clayton.  After his parents’ divorce, his mother married Paul V. Dingle, whom he called Pop.

Don was raised on his grandparent’s farm in the Guys Mills area.  At 17, he joined the Army and then re-enlisted in the Air Force.

H was stationed in Helefield, England where he met the love of his life, Florence Houghton.  They were married September 12, 1959.  Their first son, Garry, was born before returning to the United States in 1961.  Florence preceded him in death March 19, 2009.

In 1962 he was stationed for 1 year in Omaha, NE, and then they moved to Rapid City, SD for 6 years, where they had three more children.  They then lived in Monks Corners, SC before being stationed on the island of Guam for 2 years.  He was then stationed in Dover, DE.  It was at this time that he bought his home in Meadville and traveled to Dover until his military retirement after 25 years of service as a Senior Master Sergeant.  He was a veteran of the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

After his military retirement, Don worked as a mechanic for Tom Companio, as an inspector for the Meadville Housing Authority, took business courses at Edinboro University and worked as a mechanic at Palmiero Toyota.

Through the years, Don was very close to his family and many friends; he still even kept in touch with his service buddies.  Over the years, he enjoyed fishing, boating, barbecues, his guitar, mowing his lawn, collecting coins, visiting his best friend Jr. in South Carolina, taking care of his children and grandchildren and helping out his neighbors.

He will be sadly missed by many, especially his four children, Garry Clayton and his wife Missy of Meadville, Edward Clayton of Guys Mills and his companion Jacque Wood of Venango, Sharon Clayton and her companion, Ronald Hayden, Jr of Meadville and Karla Stewart and her fiancé, Richard Crago of Guys Mills; five grandchildren, Justin and Crystal Copeland of Meadville, Ashley Stewart of Meadville and Austin and Connor Crago of Guys Mills; a brother, with whom he was very close, Richard (Dick) Clayton of Meadville; a step-brother, Donald Dingle and his wife Jan of Meadville and several other relations.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Florence (Myra) of 49 years; a sister-in-law, Ann Clayton; a daughter-in-law, Laurie Clayton and a son-in-law, Mark Stewart.

Calling hours will be Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. at the Robert W. Waid Funeral Home, Inc., 581 Chestnut Street, Meadville.

The funeral and committal service will be Thursday at 11 a.m. at the funeral home with Rev. Dave Brumagin, officiating with military honors provided by Huidekooper VFW Post 2006.

Interment will be in Roselawn Memorial Gardens.

The family suggests memorials be made to the Disabled American Veterans, P.O. Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301

Memories and condolences may be shared at waidfuneralhome.net.