William D. "Don" Werner's Obituary
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William Werner of North Ridgeville, OH. He passed away peacefully on January 16, 2025 with family by his side. He was 95. Don was born on January 18, 1929 in Bellevue, PA to Margaret Kenny and Edward Werner. He graduated from Bellevue High School in 1946. After working as a Kroger store manager, during which time he met a coworker who would become his future wife, he served for 18 months in the Army during the Korean War. He then went on to own an IGA store and later ran his own catering business for 13 years. Before he retired at age 82, he taught culinary arts at the Polaris Career Center and was Educator of the Year there in 2009. In 1951, he married Shirley Hastings, and they went on to share 72 years together. After living in Pennsylvania and then West Virginia, they eventually settled in North Ridgeville, OH, with their seven children. They were involved members of the community and the local St. Peter Church. Don loved to travel, to go fishing, to garden, and to take early morning walks with his dogs. He was known for his quick sense of humor, his readiness to take charge and tackle any challenge, and his gift for teaching and engaging the younger generation. He was a dedicated husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, and will be sorely missed. Don is survived by his seven children—daughter Lynne Werner and her husband David Olsho;
daughter Nancy Werner and her husband Roger Risch; son Donald Werner and his wife Carole Werner; son Scott Werner and his wife Grace Werner; daughter Beth Werner-Smith and her husband Dan Smith; daughter Kathy Werner; son Jeff Werner and his wife Patty Werner; as well as 19 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his beloved wife,
Shirley; his father, Edward Werner; his mother, Margaret Kenny; and his brother, Edward Kenneth Werner.
Family will receive friends at the Bogner Family Funeral Home, 36625 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville, on Monday from 4-7 p.m. and on Tuesday at 9:30 a.m. for a prayer service preceding a 10:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Peter Church, 35777 Center Ridge Rd., N. Ridgeville. Rev. Bob Franco will officiate. Interment with full military honors will be in St. Peter Cemetery.
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