Argel L McDonald

Argel L. McDonald passed away peacefully on March 1, 2026, at the age of 87. Argel was born in Berea, West Virginia, on August 21,1938, to the late Bertha Marie and Estel Harold McDonald.

Argel grew up in Ritchie County, West Virginia, and attended Harrisville High School. He remained there until he and his wife Viola McDonald of 45 years, and the mother of their four children, moved to Akron, Ohio, in 1967.

Argel was a carpenter by trade and a member of the Carpenters Local Union 639. He began working as a carpenter in Akron, Ohio, in 1965 and worked until his retirement in 1996. There aren’t many older buildings in Akron and the surrounding area that he hasn’t worked on, i.e. the Federal Building, the Y-Bridge, every hospital in the area and the list goes on and on.

A fix-it man was truly named for Argel as he was very mechanically inclined at a very young age. He was a self-taught, talented carpenter and mechanic. Argel has invented things over the years for contractors that they still use today. He was very generous with his time and talents. Argel was always seen in the evenings and weekends working if not for himself and his family, but for friends, neighbors and even strangers who needed a helping hand.

Argel was very strong in his faith and loved God. He enjoyed reading the Bible and participating in Bible Study.

His hobbies included working on cars and trucks, deer hunting, traveling, listening to country music, singing, dancing, and spending time at his cottage on Long Run. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family.

Argel leaves behind a legacy of great memories for his family and friends as he was known for his humor, jokes and his life-long true stories.

In addition to his parents, Argel was preceded in death by his sister Stadie Fay Layne, his brother Wilbert McDonald and his second wife Crystal McDonald.

Left to cherish Argel’s memory are his four loving daughters Shawanna Swartz, Fegena Crissman-Husek, Tamara (Lawrence) Meers and Rosa McDonald; grandchildren Kayla Crissman, Kody Crissman and Tabitha Meers; great-granddaughter Emma Crissman all of Akron, Ohio; his sister Vada Lemon of Harrisville, West Virginia, and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Calling hours for family and friends will be held on Friday, March 6, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the McCullough Raiguel Funeral Home at 1200 East Main Street, Harrisville, West Virginia, where the funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 7, 2026. He will be interred at the Bethany United Methodist Church Cemetery on Prunty Road, Harrisville, West Virginia.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Adams Mason Funeral Home 330-535-9186