Donald Charles Bechtel

Donald Charles Bechtel, 95, of Birmingham, died Thursday, March 26, 2015 at Kingston Residence after a period of declining health. Don was born June 22, 1919 in Amherst and had been a lifelong Brownhelm and Birmingham resident. He was a veteran of the US Navy serving during World War II. He was a survivor of the sinking of the USS Helena in the Battle of Kula Gulf, July 6, 1943. He attended Bowling Green State University, then graduated from the Ohio State University where he was a member of Alpha Zeta Fraternity. Donald worked for Elmer Hume, Inc. as an operating engineer for 36 years. 　 He was a lifetime member of the Brownhelm Congregational United Church of Christ, where he served as a deacon, moderator, Sunday school teacher, and church historian. He was a 70 year member and 65 year past Master of the Stonington Lodge #503 F&AM, Amherst, a 50 year member of the Cleveland Consistory, a member of the Operating Engineers Union Local #18, the Brownhelm Historical Society, and served on the Amherst Hospital Board for 20 years. Don served several years on the Zoning Appeals Board of Florence Township and along with his wife Jeanette spent many year delivering Meals-on-Wheels from the Amherst Office on Aging. After the death of his wife, he continued delivering meals until he was 90. He enjoyed square dancing and vegetable gardening, sharing the bountiful produce with neighbors and friends. He is survived by his children, Rev. Janice Bechtel of Defiance; Barbara Bechtel of Amherst; and Kent (Susan Kim) Bechtel of Kirtland; granddaughter Sydney; and brothers, Raymond (Dorothy) Bechtel of Brownhelm and Robert (Jessie) Bechtel of Avon Lake. He was preceded in death by his wife, Jeanette (nee Schubert) Bechtel in 2003; parents, Raymond W. and Doris (nee Shattuck) Bechtel; and his sons, Donald Charles Bechtel, Jr., at birth, and Kevin C. Bechtel in 2010. 　 The family will receive friends on Tuesday, March 31, 2015 from 2-4 and 7-9 pm at the Riddle Funeral Home, 5345 South Street, Vermilion where the Vermilion Veteran's council will conduct Military Honors at 7:00 pm and immediately following the Stonington Lodge #503 will conduct a Masonic service. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Brownhelm Congregational United Church of Christ, 2144 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion. Reverend ElizabethTerrill will officiate. Inurnment will follow at Brownhelm Cemetery. The family suggests memorial contributions to the Brownhelm Congregational United Church of Christ, 2144 North Ridge Rd., Vermilion, OH 44089 or the Bechtel Family Scholarship Fund, c/o Firelands Schools Endowment Fund, 112 N. Lake St. South Amherst OH 44001. Online condolences may be made at www.riddlefuneralhome.com