Donald Michael Wolverton and Shawnee Smith
Husband Donald Michael Wolverton [51498]
Born: 14 Mar 1958 - Trenton, Mercer County, NJ Christened: Died: 14 Dec 2014 - Lexington, OH Buried:
Father: Lester Earl Wolverton [51494] (1925-1982) Mother: Merle Marjorie Van Meter [51495] (Cir 1920/1929- )
Marriage: - [MRIN:19073]
Wife Shawnee Smith [56492]
Born: Christened: Died: Buried:
Children
General Notes: Husband - Donald Michael Wolverton
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wolverton-51
from Hal Wolverton
Donald was born in 1958. He is the son of Lester Wolverton and Merle Van Meter. [1]
His online obituary :
Obituary for Don Michael Wolverton
Don Michael Wolverton, Master Gardener and developer of the Donsteak tomato, waved goodbye to his most loved ones early Sunday, December 14, 2014 in Lexington, Ohio and caught the morning train to the Very Big Garden in the Sky after a long struggle with ALS. His sense of humor remained intact to the end, and as the train left the station he mouthed the words, “It could be worse.” He was 56.
Don was born to Lester and Merle Marjorie Wolverton on March 14, 1958 in Trenton, New Jersey. He grew up in Crosswicks, New Jersey with one brother and two sisters. He came to Mansfield, Ohio in the early ‘90’s and worked as an auto mechanic. As an active member in the Church of the Great Outdoors, he developed a passion for growing things from seed having been first initiated into it helping his grandfather in his vegetable garden. He eventually became a Richland County Master Gardener and was a winner of the 1999 Mansfield News Journal Vegetable Patch Contest.
Don’s deep voice and abrupt wit often hid the generous heart that beat beneath the burly exterior. He was quick to share his passion for plants with others, and in 2010 he built the Very Little Garden at Kingwood Center to demonstrate his belief that anyone with very little time, very little money, and very little space could grow a whole lot of food for themselves.
Diagnosed with ALS in July 2013, he embarked on a two month journey across America with his beloved Shawnee Smith. Together they traveled Route 66 to California ,and returned along the Old Lincoln Highway collecting many cherished memories along the way.
Don was an inspiration to all who knew and loved him, and is survived by his glove and best friend, Shawnee; his mother, Merle Marjorie Wolverton of Crosswicks, N.J.; his sister, Beth Wolverton Andrews and husband, Bob of Mount Laurel, N.J.; a brother, Tim Wolverton and wife, Mary of Crosswicks; Courtney Smith of Lexington, Ohio, whom he considered his daughter, and her husband, Mike; Matt and Gabby Smith, his stepson; nieces and nephews, Amy Andrews Warne, Ellen Andrews Stumpf, and Ben and Dan Wolverton of Crosswicks; grandchildren, Mikey, Nathan, Miles, Macee, and Rowen; and special friends, John Makley and Jeff Ball. A special thank you to Carolyn Johnson and all the children on Bus 12 Lexington Schools who brightened Don’s mornings waving to him in his chair as they stopped in front of the house.
Don was preceded in death by his father, Lester Wolverton, and sister, Alice Wolverton Fish.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, December 18, 2014 at 3:00 p.m. at the Ontario home of Wappner Funeral Directors, at 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Ontario. Family and friends are invited to visit for one hour prior to the service from 2-3 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to Marblehead Lighthouse or to the donor’s local FFA chapter.
General Notes: Wife - Shawnee Smith
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wolverton-51
Notes: Marriage
http://www.wikitree.com/wiki/Wolverton-51