Donald L. Covert

1937 - 2021

Donald L. Covert - February 24,1937- September 23,2021

It is with deep sorrow but peaceful resolve that his family announces the death of their beloved, Don Covert.

The long time Galion entrepreneur, and founder of Covert Manufacturing, passed away at the age of 84, at his home on Thursday, September 23, 2021. It took two cancers and a broken hip to stop him from returning to work, where he was still active until July of this year.

Born in Flushing, Ohio, on Feb 24, 1937, he was the son of James Donald and Georgiana Covert. Don married his high school sweetheart, Martha "Rodella" (Jenkins) Covert on April 14, 1956. They had been married for 65 years.

He graduated from Mt. Gilead High School in 1956 and then pursued his love of working with his hands and became the first apprentice at Quality Pattern in Mt. Gilead. After a five-year apprenticeship he became a Master Pattern Maker. Don, honed his skills at numerous companies, including Cooper Bessemer, American Standard, International Harvester, Engelking Pattern and Engineering. Later in his career he became the President of the National Association of Pattern Manufacturers.

In 1967, at the age of thirty, he decided to go into business for himself. He said he really had always loved being in business, whether it was mowing lawns in his youth, repairing go cart motors, repairing antique furniture, building cabinets, or adding garage additions to homes. So, he sold his home in Kentucky, and moved his young family to an apartment in Mt. Gilead, and purchased Haas Pattern Works in Galion.

He credits Joe Haas for introducing him to the fundamentals of bookkeeping and daily business practices. Later he furthered his knowledge of business sales and management with his wife Rodella as they took Dale Carnegie Seminars, and light heartedly competed for top awards.

The success of Covert Manufacturing, Inc., over the next fifty years was a source of pride and an excellent reflection not only on the business itself, but also on the astute management, over 300 hardworking employees, and on the Galion Community. Covert Manufacturing has enhanced the quality of life within the surrounding area and is certain to continue to display the same unwavering dedication to excellence for which it has become known. The business is currently under the guardianship, owned and managed by his eldest daughter Teri Williams, as CEO and his adult grandchildren, VP's, Chanel Hipp and Oliver Williams.

Another source of pride to Don, was his thirty-five years on the board of First Federal Bank of Ohio where he held the position of board member, President and finally Chairman.

Don loved his family, business, job, friends, and community. He and Rodella were members of the Galion Country Club in its hay day — where they met many lifelong friends and learned to golf.

He was also a member of the Masonic Lodge, he was a 33rd degree mason which is a Master Mason who has exhibited knowledge, passion and sacrifice to his Craft. A Supreme Council awards the 33rd Degree as a way of honoring outstanding and selfless work performed in the Rite or in public life. He was also a member of the Scottish Rite.

Other memberships he enjoyed were the Elks, Galion Community Center, Westbrook Country Club, the NRA, Republican party, and St. Paul United Methodist in Galion.

In 2005, Don was inducted into North Central Ohio Entrepreneurial Hall of Fame. He was selected for this prestigious distinction, for his work as owner of Covert Manufacturing. Also, because he involved himself in many significant endeavors, helping to guarantee a high level of success for all projects with which he had been associated.

His noteworthy accomplishments clearly demonstrated the potential of each person to have a positive effect on the quality of life in our society.

Below is a passage granddaughter Chanel Hipp found to be the family's feelings:

"I should've felt the ground tremble for surely, a giant oak has fallen in the forest, leaving an ominous vacancy left bare and conspicuously barren. Once, we were all in some way shaded by his branches and leaves thereof. Now, the glaring heat rays reveal just how much he shaded us."

"We have been blessed and inspired by his life and our consolation is that his blood runs through our veins. We will always cherish our memories and time together. May God grant us the strength and wisdom to continue his legacy. We lift our heads and feel the sun and watch for the leaves he left blowing in the wind. Nothing that gigantic falls in the forest without leaving sprouts to attest that he was here."

Don is survived by his wife, Rodella Covert, Mansfield, daughters, Teri (Dennis) Williams, of Crestline, Kym (Rick) Fox, of Galion, Donna (Frank) Morrow of Lebanon, Tenn., son, Don (Chris) Covert of Ontario.

Grandchildren, Chanel (Michael) Hipp, Ontario, Oliver Williams, Crestline, Dustin (Joy) Fox, of Pa., Garrett Fox, Cleveland, Wyatt Fox, Ontario, Lauren and Madison Morrow, Lebanon, Tenn., Zak and Luke Covert, Ontario.

Great grandchildren, Stella, Mara, and Charlotte Hipp, Ontario, Atlas and Cleo Fox, Pa.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, September 28, 2021, at St. Paul United Methodist Church, 746 Cherry Street, Galion, Ohio 44833, with Rev. Ash Welch officiating, where a masonic service will precede the Christian Funeral service. Burial following at Fairview Cemetery

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Paul United Methodist Church or to the Avita Health Foundation in care of the funeral home.

Richardson Davis Chapel of Snyder Funeral Homes in Galion is honored to serve the family of Don Covert, and condolences may be made to them at www.SnyderFuneralHomes.com.