Howard Earle Donbar

Mansfield, OH - Dec. 1, 2007 - Howard Earle Donbar, age 86, died Saturday afternoon in Triumph Hospital, Mansfield.

He was born April 2, 1921 in Youngstown, Ohio to the late Judge William Edward Luther and Viola (Hawkins) Donbar moving to Columbiana in 1923. Howard graduated from Columbiana High School in 1939 where he played football, basketball and sandlot baseball at Firestone Field. He was called to service in 1942 in the 83rd Division Signal Corp. In 1943 he was with the Air Force and in 1944 he was transferred to the Army's 97th Division at Ft. Leonard Wood, MO. where he received Ranger training and then onto California for Amphibias Landing training. Howard further served in Paris and Berlin in the 94th Signal Battalion. It is with this group he had many opportunities to reunite with old friends. The latest of which was the 60th reunion he attended in September of this year. His military experience was further shared through his life membership with the American Legion Post #290 in Columbiana; Past Commander of V.F.W. Post #5532 in Washingtonville; Amvets Post #26 and the Military Order of the Cooties #41 in Mansfield. He was also a member of the Moose Lodge #341, Sons of Herman in Mansfield, AARP, P.E.R.I. #84, I.B.E.W. #688 and the Lincoln Highway Association.

After returning home from the service, Mr. Donbar worked for Ohio Bell and moved to Mansfield. In 1952 he went into private business and ultimately retired from the Mansfield Fire Dept. as an electrician.

Surviving are his companion, Bernice Petty of Mansfield; a nephew, Ken W. (Karen) Donbar of Columbiana; great nephews, Jeff, Jim and John and great great nephew and nieces, Jack, Cate and Tracy; and a sister-in-law, Mary Donbar of Columbiana.

He was preceded in death by his wife Jane M. (Slagle) Donbar; his parents; a brother, Robert W. Donbar and a sister, Verna Donbar.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday at the Warrick-Kummer Funeral Home, Columbiana, with the Reverend David H. Conrad officiating. Benjamin Firestone Post #290 of the American Legion will accord military honors and burial will follow in Columbiana Cemetery. Friends may call at the Warrick-Kummer Funeral Home one hour prior to the services on Thursday and at the Wappner Funeral Home, Mansfield from 2-4 and 6-8 p.m. on Tuesday.

Contributions may be made to a charity of the donor's choice.