Donald Louis Bumback

Poland - Donald Louis Bumback, formerly of McDonald, died Sunday March 5th, 2023, at Shepherd of the Valley, Poland. After months of loving care by his family, his wife was at his side. Don was born July 31st, 1930 in Elyria, the youngest child of Steven and Mary Helen (Kohl) Bumback. Don was a 1948 graduate of Elyria High School.

After graduation from high school, Don applied for a job on the order force at Bingham & Company in downtown Cleveland. In order to gain an interview, Don first had to be approved by the receptionist, a feisty, dark haired beauty named Lois Menzies. Don got the job, and began dating Lois.

Don was drafted into the Army in March, 1951. He was stationed in France, at the Verdun Signal Depot. Don and Lois exchanged letters throughout Don’s time in the Army. He left active duty in January, 1953. Don and Lois were married at St. Jerome’s Catholic Church, in Cleveland, on May 9th, 1953.

When Don resumed his career at Bingham & Company, he stepped into the role of industrial supply salesman. The family moved to Youngstown in 1957. In 1959, Don ended his employment with Bingham, and gained employment at Stambaugh Supply Company. In 1967, Don was hired by Mau-Sherwood, a regional industrial supply company. During his time with Mau-Sherwood, Don was recognized for his excellent sales skills. He received numerous awards, including an award for sales totaling more than one million dollars in a single year. Don retired in 2000.

Don’s life was so much more than his employment. A man of deep faith, Don attended Mass daily for more than fifty years, ending only because of Covid restrictions in 2020. For many years, Don served as commentator during worship at Our Lady of Perpetual Help in McDonald.

He had a lifelong interest in fishing. In 1960, Don and the family went on their first vacation to Pointe au Baril, Ontario, a tradition that continued until just a few years ago. Through the years, Don helped regulate the walleye population of Lake Erie, as well as the smallmouth bass numbers in the Georgian Bay, and helped ease the overpopulation of steelhead in Conneaut Creek and the Ashtabula River.

Don was always most content when he was outdoors, regardless of the season. During fall and winter, Don enjoyed hunting grouse and turkey in the hills above the Ohio River. He also had several opportunities to hunt duck and geese in the Cheyenne Bottoms of Kansas.

He was a remarkable cook, frequently including the fish he caught, or the birds he harvested, in game dinners. He truly enjoyed making recipes he found in Bon Appetit or Gourmet magazine.

Don is survived by Lois, and daughters Lynda (Mike Shepherd) Bumback and Laura (Jack) Malloy. Also surviving are his sister, Rosemary Thomas, of California, as well as his niece and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, and by his brother Bill and sister-in-law Vivian Bumback; also brother-in-law, Bill Thomas. In addition he was preceded by his sister-in-law Irene (Bill) Wolf. Don was additionally preceded by his all-time favorite hunting companion, his Brittany Spaniel, Pep.

Visitation will be March 27, from 10:30 to 11:45 at St. Luke’s Church, 5235 South Avenue, Boardman, 44512. A Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow at the church.

The family thanks the staff and administration in Rehab and Skilled Care at Shepherd of the Valley – Poland for the excellent care given to Don. The family also thanks his physicians, Dr. Thomas Rudnicki, Dr. Charles Wilkins, Dr. Thomas Kunkle, and Dr. Kwon Miller for their outstanding care for Don over the years.

The family requests, in lieu of flowers, that any memorial contributions be made in memory of Donald, to either St. Luke’s Church, 5435 South Avenue, Boardman, OH  44512 or to Ducks Unlimited, One Waterfowl Way, Memphis, TN 38120 or www.ducks.org.

Thoughts and condolences can be sent to the funeral home website www.mccauleyfuneral.com

Arrangements by The McCauley Funeral Home privileged to serve the valley for more than 121 years!

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