Don Mackling

Don Mackling, 84, a former longtime Bucyrus resident, died Monday, September 19, 2016 at Kingston of Marion following some recent heart issues.



Don was born December 2, 1931 in Bucyrus to the late Ephraim “EG” and Eleanor (Schiffer) Mackling. He was a 1949 graduate of Bucyrus High School and began taking classes at Ohio State before enlisting in the US Navy. Don spent four years serving his country and was stationed in French Morocco, North Africa for a portion of time before his honorable discharge in 1955.



Upon returning from the service, Don met June A. Patton and the two shared a brief courtship before their marriage on March 2, 1957. He decided to go back to college and in 1962 Don graduated with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Ohio State. His career started with Burgess and Niple, sending him to Lake County and Akron before he took a position with Floyd Browne Engineers. Here, he eventually became a partner and served as Manager of Engineering until retiring in the early 90s. Don then worked briefly as the Bucyrus City Engineer until wanting to devote more time to his golf game and his condo in Naples, Florida where he and June wintered for 22 years.



Don was an active member of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Bucyrus, where he served multiple terms on council. He had a great voice and sang with the Country Gentlemen as well as various quartets. He was also a member of the Bucyrus Country Club, Elks Lodge 156, OSU Civil Engineer Alumni Association and former board member, a former Bucyrus Rotarian, and some of his greatest times were spent over coffee with fellow Rusty Zippers.



He and June spent 59 married years traveling the world, playing countless rounds of golf, enjoying many bridge and euchre games, and Don always found time to snuggle with his Scotties and watch the Buckeyes and Browns on TV.



In addition to June, Don is survived by his son, Erik (Heather) Mackling of Powell; two grandchildren, Daniel and Beth; one sister, Mary Lou Dewiel of Florence, Kentucky; as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by one sister, Shirley Alt.



His family will receive friends from 5-8 p.m. Thursday, September 22 at Wise Funeral Service, where his funeral will be held Friday at 10:30 am with Pastor Mike Greenler officiating. Burial will follow in Oakwood Cemetery with flag presentation by the US Navy Honor Guard.



Contributions may be made payable to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church or the Humane Society Serving Crawford County and dropped off at the funeral home.