Donald Edwin Marang was born September 26, 1924 in Coshocton, Ohio to Charles Angelo Marang and Anna Jones. Don graduated from Wells High School in Newell, WV. He enlisted in the Army in 1942 and served for two years before attending Officer Training School. He served as a Ship Transportation Officer in the Pacific Theater of Operations.
After the war, Don attended West Virginia University where he met his future wife, Elinore Ann Flowers in an Economics class. Don has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Studies from Stetson University in DeLand, Florida.
Don and “Elin” were married for 65 years. They were the parents of Deborah Kay (Vernon) Hartz, Karen Lynn (Jeffrey) Benson, Barbara Sue Marang, and Donald Edwin (Karen) Marang, Jr.
During Don’s life he worked as a farmer, a school teacher, a feed salesman, a stock broker and an investment banker.
Don passed away October 1, 2014 at the age of 90. He is survived by his wife, Elin, and his children, with the exception of his son, Don Marang, Jr. who passed away in 2013. Don is also survived by his grandchildren: Andrea Barker, Laura (Adam) Bednarek, Lisa (Jake) Knight, David (Erin) Benson, Kimberly Benson, Jonathan Benson, Kevin Marang, Tiffany Marang, and Stephanie Marang. Don was preceded in death by his parents and his sisters Milly (Shep) Hamrick and Reda (Chuck) Shaw.
Don was active in Methodist congregations until the family moved to Ben Avon Heights, Pennsylvania in the 1960s. At that point the Marangs joined the Presbyterian church. Don’s daughter, Barbara, has been serving as a missionary to Choluteca, Honduras for many years, along with Rosemary Nelson. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made on their behalf to International Missions Network, PO Box 270996, Flower Mound, TX 75027.
Friends may call on Saturday morning at the Van Matre Family Funeral Home, 306 Erie Street, Edinboro from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and are invited to the funeral service at 11:00 a.m conducted by Pastor Brian Kelly. Burial with U.S. Army Military Honors assisted by the Erie-Crawford County Burial Detail will follow at the Edinboro Cemetery.
Dear Aunt Elin, Debibie, Karen and Barbie and Familiy,
I’m sorry about Uncle Don’s passing. I have many happy memories of times with him and with you growing up. I pray that God will tenderly comfort all of you during this time of loss.
Sending love and prayers,
Suzy and family