Donald Rex 1945-2023

Born Sept. 9, 1945, he was a 1963 graduate of Girard High School and was a 1969 graduate of YSU. He received his master’s degree in 1977 from Westminister College in Pennsylvania. He went on to become a teacher in Girard, and later was an elementary principal at Tod Woods Middle School, Summit and Washington schools. He served as the Director of Special Education at Girard High School and ran its after-school program, before retiring in 2001. Post-retirement he helped supervise student teachers at Kent State University.

His love for the city of Girard, its citizens and students, was strong. He was elected as an at-large city councilman, where he followed his heart and did what he believed was right for the city. He was also instrumental in creating the canoe launch site in Girard –something he was very proud of.

He was preceded in death by his parents and daughter, Kelli Rex.

He leaves behind his loving wife of 46 years, Patricia; his son, Michael (Alyssa); daughter, Katie Martino (Paul); grandchildren, Ethan, Lyla and Emmie; and sisters, Mary Leah Mendenhall, Maureen Zeller, Margaret Hill and Kathryn Rex; along with many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

Don’s memory will live on in the hearts of many, but mostly in the hearts his wife, children and grandchildren.

We love you.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, Nov. 30, 2023, at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, McDonald. The family will receive relatives and friends from 4 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, at Blackstone Funeral Home in Girard.

Don will be laid to rest in Girard City Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, kindly make a donation to Friends of the Mahoning River, of which Don was a board member at https://friendsofthemahoningriver.org.

Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any expressions of sympathy to the family.

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