Donald Lee Rugh, Sr

Columbiana - Donald Lee Rugh, Sr., 77, of 241 Stanton Drive, died at 11:37 a.m. Friday, December 2, 2011 at the Salem Community Hospital.

Mr. Rugh was born April 4, 1934 in New Castle, PA, a son of the late Fred P. and Ethel Dout Rugh and had lived here 20 years, coming from Youngstown. He had served in the US Navy and the US Army during the Korean War.

He had been employed as a conductor and yardmaster for the Pennsylvania Railroad, PennCentral and last with Conrail, retiring in 1999. He has also worked as an equipment inspector for the Federal Railroad Administration.

He was a member of the First Christian Church, Benjamin Firestone Post #290 American Legion, and York Drexler Post #5532 VFW of Washingtonville. He was also a member of AARP, Fairfield Ruritan Club, the Columbiana Historical Society; AFSCME #118, and AFSCME #184. He also served as local chairman of the Railroad Yardmasters of America and had been active in the Mahoning County Democratic Party where he had served as a precinct committeeman.

He is survived by his wife, the former D. Gayle Zellers, whom he married March 31, 1973; two daughters, Leesa V. Plaskett of Leetonia and Leanne V. Jacobson of Monrovia, CA; three sons, Thomas (Sherry) Rugh of Brookhaven, PA, Daniel Vaughn of Northridge, CA and Stephen (Joni) Gomori of Powell; two sisters, Rebecca (Charles) McCarthy of Hubbard, and Jennie (Luigi) Racanelli of Bayville, NY; 12 grandchildren and one great grandchild.

He was preceded in death by a son, Donald L. Rugh, Jr. and a brother, Fred P. Rugh, Jr.

Funeral services will be held at 6:00 p.m. Monday, December 5, 2011 at the Warrick-Kummer-Rettig Funeral Home, Columbiana, with Mr. Clarence Mansfield, Minister, officiating. Friends may call at the funeral home from 3-6 p.m. on Monday. If friends desire, memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society.