Donald Wilford Carpenter

Donald (“Don”) Wilford Carpenter, 88, of Dover passed away peacefully on Monday, May 22, 2023, in Community Hospice – Truman House at New Philadelphia, following a period of declining health.

Born in Dennison (OH), Don was the youngest son of the late James and Helen (Rector) Carpenter and was a 1952 graduate of Uhrichsville High School. Upon graduation, Don spent many hours working on several Mill Township farms and then went to work in the clay industry before being drafted into the United States Army in 1957 where stationed in Hawaii during the time he served his country. Serving as the foundation for his civilian career, Don completed his military assignment and went to work for Warner and Swasey (Gradall) before moving to East Ohio Gas (Dominion Energy) where he initially retired in 1994. Coaxed out of retirement due in large part to Don enjoying the company of others, he became a delivery driver for Newhouse Printing in Dover before officially retiring in 2015.

Gentle, unassuming, and a man of great faith, Don was a longtime member of the former Dover Foursquare Gospel Church (The Summit) in Dover. He enjoyed riding motorcycles, attending NASCAR races and classic car shows, following his children and grandchildren in all their school and sports activities, traveling with his wife and grandchildren, was especially fond of “all you can eat” buffets, arguably the foodie originator of “Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives”, and never turned down a piece of pie or a cup of coffee.

Don is survived by his wife, Nancy (Reidenbach) Carpenter, whom he married on April 25^th, 1965; his sons, Douglas (Nancy) Carpenter of Dover and John (Stephanie) Carpenter of Columbus; his daughter, Christa (Eric) Downing of Sherrodsville; and six grandchildren, Douglas and Katie Carpenter, Claire and Ty Carpenter, and Braden and Bryce Downing. In addition to his parents, Don was preceded in death by his five siblings: Fred Carpenter, Walter (Curt) Carpenter, June Carpenter, Jean Ann Carpenter, and Evelyn Martin.

In keeping with Don’s wishes, he is to be cremated through the care of Adams Mason Funeral Home in Akron and a family celebration of Don’s life will be held at a later date.

The family wants to thank the staff at Community Hospice – Truman House for the kind and compassionate care given to Don. In addition, family requests all donations in Don’s memory be sent to Community Hospice, 716 Commercial Avenue SW, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 or online at https://www.myhospice.org/options-giving.