Donald E. Gehlmann

Donald E. Gehlmann, Atty., 90, of Lorain, passed away on Wednesday, September 15, 2021 at Cleveland Clinic Avon Hospital following a brief illness.

Donald was born September 30, 1930, in Johnstown, Pennsylvania. He moved to Lorain in March 1941. He graduated from St. Mary High School, Lorain in 1948. Served in the U.S. Air Force 1948 - 52 during the Korean War in the Strategic Air Command. He went on to earn his BS Degree from John Carroll University in 1956 and his MS Degree in Law from Georgetown University in 1960.

Donald was admitted to practice, Ohio Supreme Ct 1960; US Federal District Ct 1964, US 6th Circuit Ct of Appeals 1965, US Supreme Ct Washington, DC 1965.

He served as an Investigator in the US Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Patents, Trademarks & Copyrights in Washington, DC from 1958 – 60. Was associate in law firm of Austin O’Toole, Lorain 1960-61. He was appointed General Referee and Chief Deputy Clerk by Judge Harold Ewing, Lorain County Probate Ct on March 1, 1961 and served for 18 years with Judge Ewing. He was then appointed General Referee and Chief Deputy Clerk by Judge Robert Corts, Lorain County Ct of Common Pleas – Probate Division on February 9, 1979 and served 12 years with Judge Corts. He served for 30 years with the Lorain County Probate Ct before retiring in 1991 to private practice.

Donald worked many positions while attending college, including ordnance inspector for Cleveland District of US Army Ordnance; vacation relief at US Steel Corp. Lorain Works; US Post Office Air Mail Section in Washington, DC.

Donald was also a part-time instructor of Business Law and Political Science courses for 10 years at LCCC. He shared his passion of faith as a Confraternity teacher at St. John Church for 12 years.

He was an active member of his community by serving on numerous committees and boards including St. John Parish Finance; Boards of the Lorain Cnty Council on Alcoholism; Lorain Cnty Assn for Children with Learning Disabilities; Lorain Cnty Board of MR/DD; Lorain Cnty Legal Aid Society; Lorain Catholic High School Advisory Board; Lorain NISI PRIUS Club; Lorain Cnty Regional Airport Zoning Commission; Lorain Cnty Regional Airport Zoning Board of Appeals; Lorain Cnty Board of Health; Lorain Cnty Employees Credit Union; Lorain Cnty Birthright, Inc.; Member of Knights of Columbus; Life Member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 451; Lorain Cnty Bar Assn; and Ohio State Bar Assn.

Donald coached St. John’s 4th – 8th grade CYO basketball teams. Also coached Charlie Neeson’s Clerks Class “G” baseball teams for 10 – 12-year-olds.

Donald enjoyed flying and was a licensed private pilot for many years; he was also a faithful member of St. Frances Cabrini Parish; he loved spending time with his wife and family, reading, flying and travelling.

Donald was a loving husband to Barbara Ann (nee Elder) for 67 years. He was also a loving father to Sheila, Tim (Stacey), Greg (Maggie), Sally, Andy, Walt (Mindi), Ray (Jenn), Michael (Laura), Cindy (Joe), Bernie (Donna), and Tom. He was also a loving grandfather of 15 and greatgrandfather of three.

He was preceded in death by his daughter Theresa, parents Otto and Rosella, and brothers Paul and James.

The family will receive friends Monday, September 20, 2021, from 4 to 8 PM at Richard J. Reidy Funeral Home, 1783 East 31st Street, South Lorain, Ohio 44055. Mass of Christian Burial on Tuesday, September 21, 2021 at 10:00 AM at St. Frances Cabrini Parish, 2143 Homewood Drive, Lorain, Ohio 44055, Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Lorain. Military Honors will be conducted by AMVETS Post 32 of Elyria. Masks and social distancing are required.

His family suggests contributions to the St. Frances Cabrini Endowment Fund.

For expressions of sympathy and further information please see, Reidyfuneral.com. Sent from my iPhone