Wapakoneta;  Donald E. "Don" Davenport, 93, of rural Wapakoneta, died Thursday, December 31, 2020 at Mercy Health St. Rita's Medical Center, after a sudden illness.

He was born August 26, 1927 at home on the family farm near Kossuth, Ohio , the son of the late Bernard and  Lena Briggs Davenport. He was born again at the age of sixteen when he accepted Jesus Christ as his Savior.

He married Mary L. Mitchell, who survives, on September 10, 1950 at Spencerville Trinity Methodist Church. He is also survived by his children; Linda (David) Hawk of Berea, OH., Marilyn (Hugh) Core of rural Wapakoneta, Richard (Lisa) Davenport of Trenton, TN. and Roger (Diane)  Davenport of rural St. Marys, eleven grandchildren and thirteen great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents and his sister and brother-in-law Glenna (Davenport) and Bill Meckstroth.

Don was a 1945 graduate of Buckland High School. He earned certification from Hobart School of Welding in Dayton, Ohio and put that skill to use several winters at BLH in Lima.

He farmed and was owner of Davenport Farm Drainage Services until he retired. After retirement he worked at Knous Tool and Die in St. Marys until the age of 80. He was a past president of the Ohio Drainage Contractors Association, served on the school board for Buckland School and was a member of Kossuth Zion United Methodist Church.

He loved music, playing flute, piccolo, violin and viola in many groups including the Sunset Mummers String Band,  the North Port Symphonic Orchestra and the North Port Community Band in Florida. He played in the Hallelujah Saints Band, the Lima Area Concert band, the Grand Lake Symphony and several church orchestras in Ohio and Florida.

A private family service was held at Kossuth Cemetery, officiated by Pastor Allan Brown. The Thomas E. Bayliff Funeral of Spencerville was entrusted with funeral arrangements.

Memorial gifts may be given to the Kossuth Zion United Methodist Church, the Hallelujah Saints Band in Elida, Ohio, the Lima Area Concert Band or the Grand Lake Symphony, Celina.

Condolences may be sent to tbayliff@woh.rr.com