Donald J. Baxter

Donald J. Baxter
Donald J. Baxter, age 86, of Minerva, died Tuesday, April 3, 2007 in the Great Trail Care Center following an extended illness. He was born August 4, 1920 in Bayard to William and Myrna (LeBeau) Baxter. He graduated from Minerva High School in 1938. Don was one of the earliest appointed agents with Grange Insurance Co. of Columbus and went on to establish the Baxter Insurance Agency in 1942. The Baxter Insurance Agency is currently in its third generation being operated by his grandson, Doug. He also served as a General Agent with Farmers and Traders Life Insurance Co. of Syracuse, NY for over 25 years with an eastern Ohio territory. He was a member of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Agents. He was Director of the former United Counties Savings and Loan in Minerva. Don was instrumental in the efforts leading to the consolidation of the West Twp. Schools with Minerva Local School District while serving as President of West Local School District. He was a 60 year member and past master of Bayard Grange #1878 and the State and National Grange. A member of Bayard United Methodist Church and a past member of the Alliance Country Club. He was an avid outdoorsman loving fishing, hunting, and golf and traveling in his RV. He is survived by his wife, Mary (Hoopengarner) Baxter whom he married August 13, 1939; three daughters, Judy (Robert) Hill of Canal Fulton, Sue (Gary) Obney of Minerva, Barbara Baxter and Tom Grady of Twinsburg; three sons, Robert (Lynn) Baxter of Alliance, Rod (Kelli) Baxter of N. Canton, Roger Baxter of Canton; a sister, Wilma (Binford) Eubank of Sebring; two brothers, Harold Baxter of St. Cloud, FL, Richard Baxter of Minerva; 11 grandchildren; six great-grandchildren. Funeral services will be Friday at 11 a.m. in the Minerva United Methodist Church with Rev. Dale Thomas officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. Calling hours will be Thursday 6-8 p.m. in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva. Memorial donations may be made to the Tri-County Habitat for Humanity at Public Square, Carrollton, Ohio 44615.
Gotschall-Hutchison,
330-868-4900
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