Donald Edwin Kohl

January 2, 1931 - June 3, 2020

Donald Edwin Kohl passed away peacefully at home on June 3, 2020 after a long illness. He was surrounded by his loving wife, sister and children. He was born on January 2, 1931 in Gnadenhutten, Ohio to the late S.J. (Bud) and Gladys (Stocker) Kohl. After graduating from Newcomerstown High School in 1949, Donald served his country in the Air Force and was stationed in Guam during the Korean War serving as a tech sergeant in the Air Police. Don had many hobbies and lived an active life of service to his community and devotion to his family. He was a member of Christ United Methodist Church and served as Sunday School Superintendent at the College Street Methodist Church. Don was involved with the American Red Cross as the Water Safety Chairman for Tuscarawas County, Water Safety Instructor Trainer, and as a Red Cross Small Craft Instructor he taught canoeing, kayaking, and sailing. Many remember him for teaching life saving classes and swimming lessons. He donated his vacation time to running the Red Cross Learn to Swim program in Newcomerstown for many years. He was also the president of the Newcomerstown Park Board. Don worked with the Explorer Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Girl Scouts, teaching them many skills such as archery and rope making. Some of his hobbies included gardening, hunting, developing film, hunting arrowheads, archaeology, leather work, making and sharpening knives, flint knapping, jewelry making, medicinal plants, stained glass, and teaching others the art of knife and ax throwing. He and his wife enjoyed card club, Swinging Squares square dance club, and the Killumbuck Longrifles Buckskinners, attending Rendezvous around the country in their period costumes. He especially loved whitewater canoeing and was a member of the Keel-Haulers Canoe Club. Don had a small business, Kohl's Floral, and raised orchids. He retired from General Tire (Boltaron Thermoplastics) in 1993. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Jean (Kohl) Wilkin; and grandson, Wesley Porter. He is survived by his wife Janice (Rogers); sister Sue (Kohl) Neal; and seven children, Ruth (Mark) Hulthen, Donna Kohl, Linda (Allen) Klark, Sally (Edward) Albrigo, Karen (Jeff) Jacobs, Amy (Arthur) Hoag, and John Kohl; 12 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. A celebration of life memorial service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Crossroads Hospice in the name of Donald Kohl. www.crossroadshospice.com/why-crossroads