Donald Jeffrey Emahiser

Name: Donald Jeffrey Emahiser

Calling Hours: Tuesday, September 28th from 10 am to 11 am at St. Richard Catholic Church in Swanton

Service Hours: Tuesday, September 28th at 11:00 am at St. Richard Catholic Church

Donald Jeffrey Emahiser, age 56, of Swanton, Ohio, entered into eternal rest after a long, courageous battle with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease), Thursday, September 23, 2010, in his home, surrounded by his loving family. He was born February 3, 1954 in Toledo, Ohio to Donald Owen and Lavora Iona (Sumpter) Emahiser. On March 31, 1978 he married Cynthia L Mekus at St. Richard Catholic Church in Swanton. Jeff was a 1972 Evergreen High School graduate. He then worked for the Ohio Gas Company as an area service manager for 30 years, retiring in 2009.

Jeff served on the Swanton Fire and Rescue and the Swanton Village Council for 10 years. He also was on the Swanton Park and Recreation Board for several years where he served as a past treasurer. Jeff was a member of St. Richard Catholic Parish, and Swanton Rotary Club. In his free time Jeff enjoyed coaching girls and boys basketball and softball. He recently received an honorary letter for all his time and support in the Swanton sports programs. Jeff loved to golf, go bowling, and play basketball and the congas. Most of all Jeff was a die-hard Michigan fan, saying his blood ran maize and blue. Jeff had a strong will for life and his family, even while battling with Lou Gehrig’s disease he stayed positive and never looked down on anything. He will be greatly missed.

He is survived by his loving wife Cynthia; daughters, Christy and Lesly Emahiser; granddaughter, Kendra Emahiser; siblings, Steve (Kathy) Emahiser, and Sandra (Dan) Lazenby; brothers-in-law, Eric (Mia) Mekus, Mike (Delia) Mekus, Scott (Tina) Mekus; sisters-in-law, Linda (Homer) Shoup, Kelly (Fred) Sheneman, Jill (Randy) Hass, Karen Shinn, Sally (Gerry) Mounsey, and Jennifer (Jeff) Koder; father and mother-in-law, Nolan and Glenna Mekus; and many nieces and nephews.

Jeff was preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law, Richard Sturgill.

Family and friends may visit Tuesday, September 28th from 10 to 11a.m. at St. Richard Catholic Church in Swanton. A Memorial Mass of Resurrection will be held on Tuesday at 11 a.m. at St Richard Church with Fr. Daniel J. Zak officiating. Interment will follow in the St. Richard Memorial Garden.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to ALS Association of Northern Ohio, 2500 E. 22nd St. Suite 102 Cleveland, Ohio 44115.

Residence: Swanton, Ohio

Interment: St. Richard Memorial Gardens